[Release]AG Jim Hood Files Suit Against 2 Oil Companies
Attorney General Jim Hood today announced that he has filed
lawsuits against two companies for multiple violations of the Mississippi
Consumer Protection Act and the Price Gouging statute (75-24-5 and
ǧ75-24-25) in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The lawsuits were filed
Friday, June 1 against Wilburn Oil in Tupelo (filed in Lee County Chancery
Court) and Fair Oil in Louisville (in Winston County Chancery Court).
Five petroleum distributors fully cooperated, gave us their documents,
paid a penalty to be used in part to develop a brochure explaining oil
pricing and to engage the Economics Department at Mississippi State to
conduct a market study to track todayӹs oil prices to help us detect fuel
price-fixing, said Attorney General Jim Hood. ҳIt is unfortunate that
Wilburn Oil and Fair Oil have refused to cooperate, even though they were
caught red-handed increasing their profits by over 25% during a time when
people were fleeing from a hurricane. I hope that the courts will severely
punish these despicable acts accordingly.
The defendants face maximum penalties of up to $10,000 per sale. The case
will be prosecuted by lawyers from the Consumer Protection Division of the
Office of Attorney General, which will also seek restitution and attorney
fees and costs. The brochure developed in conjunction with the Economics
Department at Mississippi State University is available at
http://www.agjimhood.com.
Posted by kate at 06:38 PM in Attorney General, Releases | Email this entry
Comments:
No comments yet.
