A Putnam County store owner’s lawyer says his client didn’t illegally raise water prices following a chemical spill.
Lawyer Tom Peyton tells the Charleston Gazette that Achraf Assi gave away water after the Jan. 9 spill left 300,000 people in nine counties without useable tap water.
Attorney General Patrick Morrissey filed an enforcement action on Friday in Putnam County Circuit Court against Assi’s business, Hurricane-based Mid Valley Mart LLC. Morrisey alleges that Mid Valley Mart more than doubled prices for one-gallon water jugs at two Hurricane stores.
It’s illegal in West Virginia to raise prices on essential products and services by more than 10 percent in a state of emergency.
Tag: Price Gouging
W.Va. Attorney General Targets Two Stores Over Water Price Gouging
West Virginia’s attorney general is accusing a convenience store company of illegally raising water prices while running water was unusable after a chemical spill.
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed the enforcement action Friday in Putnam County Circuit Court, claiming Mid Valley Mart more than doubled prices for one-gallon water jugs to $3.39 at two Hurricane stores. The complaint also says one customer paid more than $40 for 12 one-gallon jugs.
The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, reimbursement to customers and fines in excess of $5,000 per violation.
Store owner Achraf Assi declined comment.
It’s illegal in West Virginia to raise prices on essential products and services by more than 10 percent in a state of emergency.
The Jan. 9 spill spurred a tap water-use ban for days for 300,000 West Virginians.
W.Va. AG Filing Subpoenas for Water Price Gouging
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is filing subpoenas over reported price hikes on water amid a ban on running water.
Morrisey said his office received more than 150 calls and documented 74 reports of people selling water or other goods at higher prices. The office will follow up with letters and subpoenas.
It’s illegal in West Virginia to raise prices on essential products and services by more than 10 percent in a state of emergency. Maximum penalties include a $1,000 fine and a year in jail.
Morrisey says many reports were over doubled prices for packs of water bottles. The office heard one seller charged $50 for five gallons.
The office began fielding complaints a day after last Thursday’s chemical spill. Reports of gouging dwindled when water reserves arrived.