Katonah Gas Station Cited By AG For Price Gouging

KATONAH, N.Y. – A gas station in Katonah has been accused of price gouging by the state Attorney General's Office under a statute that was created in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Thursday the Mobil station at 80 Bedford Road in Katonah is one of 12 gas stations his office notified this week that it will begin enforcement proceedings against for allegedly violating the New York State Price Gouging statute. They’re the latest actions in the Schneiderman’s ongoing investigation of suspected gougers, which comes on the heels of hundreds of consumer complaints. Enforcement notification letters were sent to 13 gas stations earlier this month bringing the total number of targeted retailers so far to 25. The Mobil station in Katonah was selling regular gas for $4.79 a gallon, according to consumer complaints filed with the attorney general. "Our office will continue to take enforcement actions against price gougers because ripping off New Yorkers is against the law," Schneiderman said. "We are actively investigating the hundreds of complaints we've received from consumers of businesses preying on victims of Hurricane Sandy. There must be no tolerance for unscrupulous individuals who take advantage of New Yorkers trying to rebuild their lives." The attorney general said there will be other notifications coming as the investigation into consumer complaints continue. The law prohibits merchants from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services for an "unconscionably excessive price" during an "abnormal disruption of the market." The law covers vendors, retailers and suppliers, including supermarkets, gas stations, hardware stores, bodegas, delis and taxi and livery cab drivers. Thursday's actions were based upon a review of both consumer complaints and independently-gathered pricing information, Schneiderman's office said. Several other gas stations have been cited by the AG’s office under the new gouging statute. The Mobil station at 189 Route 59 in Spring Valley was cited at the same time as the Mobil station in Katonah. Last week, the Shell station at 3709 Crompound Road in Cortland Manor, along with the Mobil station at 174 Westchester Ave. and on the Hutchinson River Parkway in White Plains, also were cited.