Attorney General's News Release
October 2, 2001
Nixon announces results of investigation into gas price gouging; 48 gas stations to pay $60,043 total
Jefferson City, Mo. — Forty-eight gasoline retailers from around the state are going to pay $60,043.51 in penalties and costs for violating Missouri's rules and regulations on price gouging in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Attorney General Jay Nixon announced today.
"Those who used the tragic events of Sept. 11 as an excuse to dramatically increase prices for necessities have discovered that any short-term gain has been quickly negated both by the legal trouble they found themselves in and by the condemnation of public opinion," Nixon said.
Nixon sent demand letters to the stations telling them that if they had raised prices for any grade of gasoline above $2.49 a gallon following the events of Sept. 11, they must pay penalties of triple any gas-gouging profits or $750 — whichever was greater — plus investigative costs of $250, for a minimum total of $1,000. Stations that did not reach an agreement to pay the penalty by Oct. 1 would face lawsuits; all stations that received the demand from Nixon's office and which had raised their pump price above $2.49 a gallon signed agreements to pay the penalties, making the further legal action unnecessary.
"More than a thousand Missourians contacted my office within the first two days to report incidents of gas prices going up right after the terrorist attacks," Nixon said. "Those reports, coupled with expeditious investigative work by my staff, helped pinpoint where price gouging actually occurred and dispel false rumors as well.
"The citizens of Missouri were correct in their outrage, and they acted properly by reporting their observations to our office," Nixon said. "The stations have agreed to pay the penalty and, I believe, have learned from a mistake in judgment."
The penalties will go to the school fund in each county where the stations are located. The agreements, which will be submitted to the circuit courts in the respective counties, also prohibit the stations from further violations of the law.
| Service station | Location | Total paid (includes $250 for investigative costs) |
|---|---|---|
| Abney Tire & Lube | Hwy. 49, Viburnum | $1,000 |
| Ballentine 581 One Stop | Camdenton | $1,000 |
| Barclay's Mini Mart | Rte. DD, Warrensburg | $1,000 |
| Big Al's Convenience Store | 900 W. Jackson, Ozark | $1,000 |
| Brown Citgo (Quick Mart) | 830 E. High St., Potosi | $1,000 |
| Citgo | 12815 New Hall's Ferry, Florissant | $1,000 |
| Conoco | 87th & Hillcrest, Kansas City | $1,000 |
| Conoco/The Vista Store | 8900 E. State Rte. 350, Raytown | $1,000 |
| Corner Rock Tobacco Store | Hwy. 43, Southwest City | $1,315.24 |
| Country Mart | Hwy. 86, Stark City | $1,000 |
| Country Mart & Grill | 22980 Maltsbarger Rd., Sedalia | $1,000 |
|
Country Quick Shop and
Craig Country Store |
209 Elm St., Maitland. 201 N. Ward, Craig. |
$1,750 |
| D&L Service | 5530 K Highway, St. Joseph | $1,000 |
| D. Tee's Conoco | Louisburg | $1,000 |
| Dishman's Texaco | 1211 Kingshighway, Rolla | $1,000 |
| Duncan's Mobil | Hwy. W, Doe Run | $4,174.33 |
| Executive Hills Texaco | 9700 Polo Avenue, Kansas City | $1,387.40 |
| Express Mart of Longview | 7007 Longview, Kansas City | $1,000 |
| Fast Break Stores | 101 Center St., Lathrop | $1,948.74 |
| Greenville 66 | 145 Front St., Greenville | $1,280 |
| KCI Kwik Shoppe | 1st & Garrison, Ferrelview | $1,329.70 |
| Ken's One Stop/Quick & Easy | Caledonia | $2,914.33 |
| King's C Store | Hwys. 43 & 90, Southwest City | $1,792.45 |
| Leona's Mini Mart | Hwys. Y & J, Amsterdam | $1,000 |
| Long View Grocery | Hwy. 76, Rocky Comfort | $1,000 |
| Lucas & Hunt Shell | 5215 Lucas & Hunt, St. Louis | $3,422.50 |
| Mr. C's | 705 Hwy. 71, Anderson | $1,000 |
| Mr. Y's Stop & Go | 202 N. Schifferdecker, Joplin | $1,501 |
| Nadine's State Line Liquor | Pineville | $1,033.73 |
| OKI | Hwys. 5 & 7, Greenview | $1,000 |
| Rio Alce | Noel | $1,000 |
| Southside Amoco | 644 Union, St. Louis | $1,000 |
| Stricklins Convenience Store | Hwys. 21 & W, Arcadia | $1,550 |
| Texaco | 40 Hwy. & Noland Road, Independence | $1,160.20 |
| Texaco Star Mart | 12822 S. Hwy. 71, Grandview | $1,000 |
| The Filling Station | Southwest City | $1,377.40 |
| Vickers | 12785 New Hall's Ferry, St. Louis | $1,787.49 |
| Westmoreland Phillips 66 | 6020 N. Broadway, St. Louis | $1,766.50 |
| Williams' Apco | Bismarck | $1,000 |
| Wood Oil | Store #3, Rushville. Store #17, St. Joseph. Store #18, Platte City. Store #24, Platte City. Store #28, 10901 E. 350 Hwy., Raytown. Store #30, Harrisonville. Store #41, Albany. |
$5,500 |
| Zipz Phillips 66 | 13920 S. Hwy. 71, Grandview | $1,052.50 |
| Total penalties and costs | $60,043.51 |
Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).
All media inquiries should be directed to the Communications Office.
E-mail Phone: 573-751-8844 Fax: 573-751-5818