Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced his office has reached an agreement with a Quincy gas station over allegations of price gouging in the wake of Hurricane Ike.

Kelly Junior #9 will pay $2,000 to the American Red Cross and will reimburse consumers who were overcharged for gasoline. The station will also reimburse the state for the costs associated with its investigation.

“Businesses, no matter how small, will still be held fully accountable under the price gouging statute when we find evidence to support consumers’ complaints,” said Attorney General McCollum.

Kelly Junior #9 is an individually-owned station located on W. Jefferson Street in Quincy. On September 12, the store began the day charging $3.99 per gallon for regular unleaded fuel, then increased the price twice during that same day, ending the day at $4.29 per gallon for regular unleaded fuel.

Investigators believe the station sold 2,396 gallons at these inflated prices which increased its profits by approximately $1,500 during a three-day period. More than 100 customers were charged the inflated prices.

In addition to making a $2,000 donation to the American Red Cross, the station must also make restitution to every customer who comes forward with a receipt in the full amount the customer was overcharged. Kelly Junior #9 is owned by S and K of Quincy, Inc., who cooperated with the Attorney General’s investigation and agreed to adhere to the price gouging laws in the future.

A copy of the settlement agreement is online at:
http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/MRAY-7K3GU2/$file/KellyAVC.pdf