AG Accuses White Plains Mobil of Price Gouging

A White Plains Mobil is among 13 New York gas stations the state attorney general's office has accused of price gouging in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.

A consumer reported the Mobil at 174 Westchester Ave. was selling gas at $5.05 per-gallon during the days after the storm, according to a statement from Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman. The Mobil gas station on the Hutchinson River Parkway in Harrison is also accused of gouging prices.

Schneiderman's office expects to hand out more notices as the "wide-ranging" investigation continues, according to the statement.

The Harrison Mobil is accused of selling gas at $5.03 per gallon, according to the statement.

"Our office has zero tolerance for price gouging and we are taking action to send a message that ripping off New Yorkers is against the law," Schneiderman said in a statement. "Today's action is the first in a series of steps my office will take as we continue to actively investigate the hundreds of complaints we've received from consumers of businesses preying on victims of Hurricane Sandy."

New York State's price-gouging statute prohibits merchants from selling goods or services for an "unconscionably excessive price" during a disaster or disruption of service. The law applies to places like gas stations, grocery stores, bodegas, delis and taxi drivers.

Patch received dozens of complaints from readers. The 13 stations cited Thursday stood out because of their high prices and the size of their price increases, according to the statement.

Operators at each location have been notified that the attorney general will begin enforcement proceedings.

The 11 other gas stations are from Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Two of the gas stations are accused of selling gas for more than $5.50 per-gallon.