The subpoenas spring from more than 500 consumer complaints of price gouging of fuel, food, lodging and other emergency items -- meaning the businesses raised prices by more than 10 percent after the state of emergency.
The New Jersey Attorney General's Office has issued subpoenas to businesses, including one in Hunterdon County, as part of the state's investigation into allegations of price gouging in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, authorities announced today.
Governor Chris Christie, Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa and the state's Division of Consumer Affairs issued 65 subpoenas, according to a news release. The subpoenas spring from more than 500 consumer complaints of price gouging for fuel, food, lodging and other emergency items.
The state's price gouging laws prohibit retailers from raising prices by more than 10 percent after state of emergency is declared.
The complaints accuse businesses in all regions of the state of price gouging, including Warren County gas stations, according to Division of Consumer Affairs spokesman Neil Buccino. He declined to identify the businesses until they are issued notices of violation.
The complaints came mostly out of Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Passaic counties, according to the release.
"Fuel, electricity, food, and a place to sleep are not luxuries, certainly not for individuals who have been displaced from their homes and in many cases have limited resources at their disposal," Christie said in a prepared statement. "We are not asking businesses to function as charities. We require that they obey New Jersey's laws – or pay significant penalties."
Authorities anticipate issuing more than 100 subpoenas to gas stations in the state by the end of this weekend, meaning the businesses will need to provide receipts and other information to show prices and costs before and after the storm, Chiesa said in a statement.
Violations are punishable by civil penalties of up to $10,000 for the first offense and $20,000 for the second and subsequent offenses. Each individual sale is considered a separate incident.
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Consumers who suspect price gouging or any other violation of consumer protection laws, particularly as a result of Superstorm Sandy, are urged to call the Division of Consumer Affairs at 800-242-5846.