An Elmont gas station allegedly charged $6.99 per gallon during the post-Sandy fuel crisis.
An Elmont gas station that allegedly charged $6.99 a gallon is among four more Long Island gas stations that have been accused of price gouging during the fuel crisis sparked by Superstorm Sandy blackouts.
That’s in addition to four other LI gas stations previously suspected of price gouging and more than two dozen in the metro area that New York State authorities have been investigating for the same reason.
“We are actively investigating the hundreds of complaints we’ve received from consumers of businesses preying on victims of Hurricane Sandy,” said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, adding that more enforcement proceedings are expected.
The LI gas station accusations include the Coastal on Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station charging $4.69 a gallon, a BP on Route 109 in Farmingdale charging $4.71, Ultra on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown charging $4.89 and Liberty Petroleum on Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont allegedly charging $6.99.
The Coastal gas station in Port Jefferson Station charged $4.69 per gallon while neighboring stations were charging between $3.69 and $4.05, the attorney general said.
“One consumer waited in line for over an hour and did not see a sign detailing prices until after the attendant began pumping gas for the customer,” Schneiderman’s office said in a news release.
New York State law prohibits retailers from selling goods or services for an “unconscionably excessive price” during an “abnormal disruption of the market.” A “before-and-after” price analysis can be used as evidence of price gouging.
Previous LI gas station price gouging accusations include the Shell on Rockaway Turnpike in Cedarhurst charging $5 per gallon, the Babylon Gas Station/Express Mart on Route 109 in Lindenhurst charging $4.99 and the USA Petroleum in East Islip allegedly charging $5.50, same as the USA Petroleum on Route 112 in Medford.
Consumers can report price gouging and post-hurricane scams through the Attorney General’s Consumer Helpline at 800-771-7755 or find a complaint form online at www.ag.ny.gov
