Bronson Seeking Records Of 16 Oil Terminals In Price Gouging Probe
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 announced today that he is issuing subpoenas for financial information from 16 major oil terminals in Florida in connection with an ongoing investigation of gasoline price spikes associated with Hurricane Ike.
The subpoenas are scheduled to be hand delivered to the terminals on Tuesday, and they are seeking records to determine whether any of them illegally increased the wholesale prices that were passed on to retail gas stations and ultimately their customers. The subpoenas call for the records to be provided to Bronson’s office in seven days.
“It’s critical that we go to the source,” Bronson said. “A number of gas stations are claiming that they are only passing on increases that they have had to pay, so it is vital to examine where these price increases originated.”
Under state law, it is unlawful to charge excessive prices for essential items, including gasoline, water, ice, lumber, batteries and shelter, following the declaration of a state emergency unless the increases in the amount charged are attributable to additional costs incurred by those supplying the items.
Individuals or businesses found to have engaged in price gouging face fines up to $1,000 per violation, or up to a maximum fine of $25,000 a day.
Subpoenas are being issued to the following companies: 2008
Price Gouging Terminals.
Meanwhile, more than 2,300 price-gouging calls were received by Bronson’s office during the last 3 days, and the volume of calls remains heavy.
Consumers who have been the victims of price gouging or have witnessed such activity are encouraged to call Bronson’s toll-free hotline at 1 800 HELP FLA (435-7352).
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