Amid soaring gas prices, one Loudoun County gas station decided to try and cash in on the situation in a price-gouging claim, and now has to pay the price for it.
West End Motors, in Lovettsville, was accused of raising prices in response to the state of emergency declared May 11, 2021, after a cyberattack led to the temporary shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies gas to much of the East Coast. From May 11 through May 14, Attorney General Jason Miyares’ office said West End Motors raised their prices an average of 20% to nearly 24% over what it had been charging in the 10 days before the declaration of emergency by then-Gov. Ralph Northam — to highs of $3.51 for regular and $3.99 for premium.
“I am pleased that my office reached an agreement that will make restitution dollars available for affected consumers,” Miyares said in the statement. “The Consumer Protection Section at the Office of the Attorney General will continue to fight for consumer rights and investigate complaints of alleged price gouging during states of emergency in the Commonwealth.”
The gas station will pay $6,567.53 in restitution, another $2,500 to the state for civil penalties and lawyers’ fees, and joins two other Northern Virginia gas stations reached settlements with the state earlier this year.
Hopefully these fines will teach some people not to take advantage of dire situations. If you bought gas from West End Motors on May 11, 12 or 14, Miyares’ office said, you should contact his office by calling 800-552-9963, emailing consumer@oag.state.va.us or using the Consumer Protection Division’s online complaint form.
