MILFORD TOWNSHIP — Owners of the 73 Super Stop here have agreed to reimburse customers for raising gas prices to $5 a gallon the day after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

        The owners of the station, at 1459 Oxford-Trenton Road, will be carrying out a consent judgment filed with the Butler County clerk of courts this week. The station is about five miles east of Oxford, on Ohio 73.

        The station's owners must also make a $1,000 donation to the American Red Cross in lieu of a $25,000 fine.

        “Profiteering in the wake of a national tragedy is unconscionable and unacceptable, especially when we know there is no shortage of gasoline,” Attorney General Betty Montgomery has said about reports of price gouging on gas.

        By unjustifiably increasing gas prices during a national emergency, she said, the gas station violated the Consumer Sales Practices Act.

        “There have been nine suits like this one filed across the state, and two have consent judgments so far,” said Stephanie Beougher, a spokeswoman for the attorney general in Columbus.

        The local station's customers are eligible for refunds — if they have saved their receipts. They would be entitled to the difference between the $5 per gallon and the cost of gas at the beginning of Sept. 12. Station owners could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

        A customer was unhappy when told about the action.

        “I'll stop right there,” said Patrick Glose of Columbus, hanging up the gas hose. “That's how I feel about it. I'm glad I don't travel this road too often. Next time, I'm going to try to make it to the next station. I don't think taking advantage of people is right in any circumstances.”

        Barbara Hadley Smith, spokeswoman for Kentucky Attorney General Ben Chandler, said Kentucky has not prosecuted anyone for gasoline gouging after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks because state law does not apply.

        “We don't have a price-gouging law in Kentucky,” she said. “We could use the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act, but it requires proof that the consumer had no alternative for the purchase. With gas stations, there is almost always another one within a couple of miles.” More than 400 consumers had complained about inflated prices.

        Reporters Terry Flynn and Marta Roberts contributed.
       

Feds recommend police revisions
Overhaul of force rules urged
Local cops say report not a surprise
Director of OMI fired by Shirey
Highlights of the Department of Justice report
Stories presaged aspects of feds' report
Choke hold not ruled out
For trial spectators, Nov. 7 frozen in time
Jurors to visit Owensby scene
County passes loan plan
Fuller bankruptcy erased $39K debt
Gift promotes women studying engineering
Grant to expand study of health risks to children
'Moms' send goodies to soldiers
Storm ushers in early cold snap
Tristate A.M. Report
UC plans dinner to honor 4 criminal court creators
Woman will be first promoted to assistant chief
HOWARD: Massage therapy for N.Y.
PULFER: Suzie Thompson
73 Super Stop to refund for gas gouging
Candidates partake in forum
Candidates respond to scenarios
Challengers: Lebanon council prickly, unresponsive
Election rekindles fire issue
Lebanon balks at three-way land swap
Museum brings learning to kids
NATO a player in Afghan war
Seminar directed toward black men
Sierra Club study rejects new highway
Trustee race about building
Blackwell begins how-to-vote education program
Florence closer to baseball team
Kenton OKs security measures, ponders more
Kentucky News Briefs
Newport restricts parking
Ryle band 4th in state
Slain man's aunt seeks answers