Bronson Reports Huge Spike In Price Gouging Complaints; Subpoenas For Fuel Company Records To Be Issued Later Today
For Information, Contact:
Liz Compton
(850) 488-3022
Liz.Compton@freshfromflorida.com
Terence McElroy
(850) 488-3022
September 15, 2008
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today announced that his office received nearly 2,200 price-gouging calls over the weekend and 816 complaints - virtually all involving the price of gasoline.
All of the complaints are being investigated, and subpoenas will be issued later today for oil company records to determine whether increased wholesale prices that were passed on to retail gas stations were justified.
“We are committed to making sure that Florida residents and visitors to our state are being treated fairly,” Bronson said.
Under state law, persons or companies engaged in price gouging - defined in the law as charging excessive prices for basic commodities such as fuel, shelter, water, ice and lumber during a state of emergency - face fines of up to $1,000 per violation up to a maximum penalty of $25,000 a day.
Bronson is encouraging any citizen to report price-gouging activity that they encounter to his toll-free hotline at 1 800 HELP FLA (435-7352).
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