Gouging much in Arkansas?

[Patriot]

Attorney general subpoenas gas retailers
Saturday, September 20, 2008

By Roby Brock

Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has issued more than 30 subpoenas to gasoline retailers over prices raised during Hurricane Ike's trek through Arkansas. The companies have 20 days to respond to the subpoenas.

"In the event I find sufficient evidence of illegal price gouging, I will be making demand upon those entities to make restitution and pay penalties for the violations," said McDaniel. "If they refuse, they will be sued."

Arkansas law prohibits businesses from raising prices for motor fuel, food and certain other products by more than 10 percent within 30 days of a declaration of emergency. Violators can be fined up to $10,000 for each transaction in which a customer is overcharged. Fuel prices in Arkansas rose dramatically over a three-day period during the storm's mainland trek. Read the entire story...