Price Gouging Lawsuit Filed Against Dallas Area Gas Stations

DALLAS, TX — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Monday in a press release that his office has filed price gouging lawsuits against Big Willy's, a chain of convenience stores and gas stations located throughout south and southwest Dallas-Fort Worth.

In the petition filed by the attorney general, Big Willy's is accused of charging $3.99 and $4.99 per gallon of unleaded gasoline at numerous stations near Dallas during Hurricane Harvey. Paxton said his office is aggressively investigating price gouging accusations.

“Price gouging by unscrupulous profiteers is something that no Texan should have been confronted with during a declared disaster like Hurricane Harvey,” Paxton said. “Price gouging is illegal, unconscionable and completely opposite the spirit of cooperation we saw just about everywhere else in our state before, during and after the hurricane. My office will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute more cases arising from Harvey.”

Paxton has also filed a lawsuit against Tejano Mart in Laredo, accusing the gas station of charging up to $9.99 per gallon of unleaded gasoline.

A finding of price gouging carries civil penalties of up to $20,000 per violation, rising to $250,000 for violations targeting those 65 and older. The lawsuit also seeks restitution for identifiable consumers affected by the price hikes.

In September, Attorney General Paxton filed the first round of Hurricane Harvey price gouging lawsuits against a motel in Robstown and other gas stations in Dallas-Fort Worth and Laredo. Last month, he sent notices of violations to 127 Texas retailers accused of price gouging at their gas stations. A finding of price gouging carries civil penalties up to $20,000 for each violation, rising to $250,000 for violations targeting those 65 and older.

Texas law prohibits exorbitant price hikes on necessities such as drinking water, food, medicine and fuel after a state of disaster has been declared. Texans who believe they’ve been scammed or price gouged should call the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Hotline toll-free at (800) 621-0508, email consumeremergency@oag.texas.gov, or file a complaint online at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/file-a-consumer-complaint.

Patch reached out to the defendants listed in the petition, but none could be reached for comment.

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