Attorney General's News Release

August 27, 2007

Springfield-area residents who used Sechler Electric after ice storms may be eligible for restitution or reduced bills

Springfield, Mo. — Springfield-area residents and businesses that used Sechler Electric Inc. for electrical inspections or repairs after the January ice storms may be eligible for restitution or reduced bills, Attorney General Jay Nixon said today. Nixon’s office has reached an agreement with Sechler Electric, located at 1925 E. Phelps in Springfield, to resolve the Attorney General’s concerns that the company charged some consumers service rates that were substantially above the pre-storm market rate.

Under the assurance of voluntary compliance filed today in Cole County Circuit Court, Sechler Electric agreed to pay $1,100 to the state as restitution for consumers Nixon alleged were charged substantially higher rates and who previously filed complaints with the Attorney General. Other consumers who have not yet filed complaints but who believe they paid Sechler Electric substantially higher rates may file complaints with the Attorney General’s Office to be considered for additional restitution.

In addition, Sechler Electric has agreed to reduce the bills of three consumers who Nixon alleged were overcharged by a total of $2,358. Other consumers who have not paid the invoices to Sechler but who believe they also were overcharged may file complaints with Nixon’s office. Those complaints may result in reduced bills for those customers.

Consumers may file a complaint regarding Sechler Electric by going to Nixon’s Web site at ago.mo.gov and by filling out the form provided for Sechler Electric customers. Those consumers without Internet access may call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 to obtain a complaint form. Complaints must be filed with the Attorney General’s Office by Oct. 26, 2007 to be considered.

Sechler Electric also will pay $7,500 to the state of Missouri to reimburse the Attorney General’s Office for its costs to investigate the case, and also to be used for consumer education and enforcement. The company will pay an additional $1,000 civil penalty to the Greene County School Fund.

Nixon’s office investigated more than 400 complaints of price-gouging in the wake of the ice storms that hit Missouri this past winter. Including the restitution and other payments from Sechler Electric, Nixon has obtained almost $170,000 in restitution, penalties and payments to the state as a result of the legal actions his office has taken related to allegations of price gouging.

File a complaint against Sechler Electric

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 Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818