Bronson Asks Residents To Report Price Gouging During Wildfire Emergency
For Information, Contact:
Terence McElroy
(850) 488-3022
May 14, 2009
TALLAHASSEE - Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today urged state residents to report any instances of price gouging to his department during the current wildfire emergency.
Under Florida law, it is unlawful to charge exorbitant or excessive prices for essential items, including shelter, gasoline, food, water, ice, generators or lumber, following the declaration of an emergency, unless the increases in the amount charged are attributable to additional costs incurred by retailers.
Governor Charlie Crist earlier today declared a state of emergency for the entire state for the next 60 days as a result of wildfires currently burning and the potential for more to break out because of drought conditions.
Individuals or businesses found to have engaged in price gouging face fines of up to $1,000 per violation, or up to a maximum fine of $25,000 a day.
“We’re asking consumers to come forward and let us know if any retailers have exploited our citizens or are profiteering from the emergency conditions that exist,” Bronson said. “This activity is not only reprehensible, it’s illegal.”
Bronson is asking residents who have any evidence that price gouging
has occurred or is occurring to report it at once to his department’s
toll-free hotline - 1 800 HELP FLA (435-7352).
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