http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/nixonannou_2190.mp3
Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon was in Springfield today to announce that seven southwest Missouri businesses will pay more than $92 thousand in settlements over claims of price gouging following the January ice storms. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon was in Springfield today to announce that seven southwest Missouri businesses will pay more than $92 thousand in settlements over claims of price gouging following the January ice storms. Four of the businesses are in Springfield, and there's one each in Ozark, Joplin, and Buffalo. Nixon says the price gouging investigations and subsequent settlements are the direct result of consumer complaints.
Nixon says he hopes the settlements will send a message to businesses that price gouging isn't tolerated in Missouri. Nixon says the law makes it very clear what qualifies as price gouging.
Nixon's office received more than 400 complaints following the ice storms. Twelve investigations into alleged price gouging are ongoing. Nixon says he hopes to have those resolved soon.
Nixon announced the first wave of settlements and lawsuits back in February. The two settlements at that time resulted in two businesses paying 28 thousand dollars in restitution, penalties and payments to the state. A Nixon spokesman says consumers who believe they may qualify for restitution under this latest round of settlements should contact the Attorney General's office.