Patchogue Gas Station Settles Price Gouging Charges

Greg Sleter contributed to this story.

A Patchogue gas station is among some 20 Long Island gas retailers that have reached a settlement with the state’s attorney general’s office over price gouging in the days following Hurricane Sandy in the fall of 2012.

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According to New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, the Coastal Service Station at 267 East Main Street was cited for raising prices some 51 percent immediately after Sandy rolled across the Patchogue community.

Schneiderman noted that the difference between the wholesale price and retail price for regular grade gasoline at the gas station prior to Sandy was $0.41. Following the storm, the difference rose to $0.62 and the retail price was $4.09.

“Six months ago this week, as New Yorkers were sitting in lines waiting for hours to buy critical supplies of gasoline, some shady business owners were trying to make a fast buck at their expense,” Schneiderman said. “Today, we are sending a powerful message that ripping off New Yorkers during a time of crisis is against the law and we will do everything in our power to hold them accountable.”

He noted that gasoline price jumps in the wake of Sandy resulted in hundreds of complaints to the attorney general’s office. Some showed that prices were changing not just overnight, but several times a day.

New York’s Price Gouging Law prohibits merchants from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services for an “unconscionably excessive price” during natural disasters. The law covers all state vendors, retailers and suppliers.