Price Gouging Lawsuits Filed Against Houston Gas Stations After Hurricane Beryl
After Hurricane Beryl hit Southeast Texas, two Shell gas stations in the Houston area are facing lawsuits for alleged price gouging. The Harris County Prosecutor, Christian Menifee, announced that his office received over 250 complaints related to price gouging following the hurricane.
Details of the Alleged Price Gouging
The lawsuit targets two Shell gas stations operated by different companies. The first station, Bellaire’s Shell Station located at 5910 W. Loop S. near Fournace Place, increased the price of regular unleaded gas from $3.03 per gallon before the hurricane to $3.79 and $4.29 per gallon after, marking a 25% and 41% increase, respectively. The lawsuit was filed against BTCM Aviation LLC, Real Estate Chapter Texas LLC, and Houston Ventures LLC.
The second station, Baytown’s Shell Station at 5003 North Main Street, Lynchburg Road, Near East Cedar Bayou, raised the price of premium gas from $3.80 per gallon to $5.49 per gallon, representing a 44% markup. A lawsuit was filed against A2S PetroTech LLC for this price increase.
Legal Actions and Investigation
Christian Menifee’s office has been actively responding to price gouging complaints, with many businesses complying with cease and desist requests. However, the companies targeted in these lawsuits have refused to provide justification for their price increases. The Harris County Attorney’s Office continues to investigate price gouging complaints and urges residents to report any suspected incidents during declared disasters.
Protecting Consumers and Taking Action
Menifee emphasized his commitment to protecting Harris County consumers from those attempting to profit from disasters. He warned that such behavior would not be tolerated and that action would be taken against anyone exploiting the community. If you have information on price gouging or want to report an incident, visit the Harris County Prosecutor’s Office website.
In conclusion, price gouging during times of crisis is a serious offense that harms consumers and undermines the community’s well-being. By holding businesses accountable and taking legal action against those engaged in price gouging, Harris County is sending a clear message that such unethical practices will not be tolerated. It is vital for residents to report any suspected price gouging incidents to ensure a fair and just marketplace for all.
