State fines 9 gas stations for price-gouging, probes others

Nine gas stations, including one along Buford Highway, gouged consumers when Hurricanes Gustav and Ike hit last September, the Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs reported Friday.

• See list of stations that were fined

The Executive Park Chevron, at 2911 Buford Highway was fined $5,000 — the greatest amount in Georgia — and ordered to refund the over-charges if customers can prove, by showing a receipt, they were gouged.

Consumer Affairs received a complaint that the Chevron charged $4.69 for a gallon of regular gas on Sept. 15. An investigation determined that the station shouldn’t have charged more than $4.39 per gallon, according to Consumer Affairs spokesman Shawn Conroy.

Karim Roy, the station’s manager was out of the country Friday and couldn’t be reached for comment, an employee said.

“This is law enforcement — the laws that pertain to price gouging,” said Bill Cloud, another Consumer Affairs spokesman. “We are in charge of enforcing those laws, and we are going to do that.”

Another 196 stations across Georgia continue to be investigated, including a Cobb County retailer that allegedly charged customers $8.82 a gallon. Consumer Affairs wouldn’t divulge the station’s name because the investigation isn’t complete.

Power outages caused by the hurricanes shuttered Gulf Coast oil refineries for a few weeks last September, leaving several Southern states without enough gas. Gas prices soared; the average for a gallon of regular reached $4.16, the highest ever recorded in Georgia. Hours-long waits were common at metro Atlanta stations.

Gov. Sonny Perdue activated the state’s anti-gouging statutes Sept. 12. State law prohibits stations from making greater profits once the governor designates an emergency.

Consumer Affairs received 2,400 complaints during and after the hurricanes. Its investigation should be complete in the next few months.

In the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the state got 6,000 price gouging complaints. About 200 stations were investigated; 80 stations over-charged customers, Consumer Affairs reported.

If you suspect a station of overcharging, call 404-651-8600 or 800-869-1123. On the Web: www.consumer.georgia.gov.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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The following stations were fined:

• Executive Park Chevron, 2911 Buford Highway, Atlanta, Georgia - Restitution plus $5,000
• Aden’s Minute Mart # 42, 1126 Bowens Mill Road, Douglas, Georgia - Restitution plus $1,000 fine • Aden’s Minit Market # 50, Georgia Highway 111, Meigs, Georgia - Restitution plus $750
• Aden’s Minute Market # 52, 2067 U.S. Highway 19 SE, Pelham, Georgia - Restitution plus $1,000
• Stop N Shop #2, 3107 Lanes Bridge Road, Jessup, Georgia - Restitution plus $500
• Fillers #22, 801 Georgia Highway 96, Warner Robins, Georgia - Restitution only
• Fillers #24, 101 Marshallville Road, Perry, Georgia - Restitution only
• Marathon Ashland, 1325 South Main Street, Cedartown, Georgia - Restitution only
• Ashley’s Convenience Store, 6001 Ogeechee Road, Savannah, Georgia - Restitution plus $3,000

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Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs: http://consumer.georgia.gov/