4 Austin Gas Stations, 1 In Round Rock Accused Of Price Gouging

AUSTIN, TX — Five Central Texas gas stations — three in Austin and one in Round Rock — are among the more than 100 stores accused of price gouging amid Hurricane Harvey, according to published reports.

All told, the Texas attorney general's office has sent 127 gas stations notices of violation for allegedly charging more than $3.99 per gallon of fuel, the Austin American-Statesman, KVUE and others reported. Attorney General Ken Paxton last month announced he'd sent the notices, but the full list was released in the wake of open records requests made by media outlets that include the Austin American-Statesman and KXAN.

"At the outset of Harvey, I made it clear that my office would not tolerate price gouging of vulnerable Texans by any individuals or businesses looking to profit from the hurricane,” Paxton said in an Oct. 30 prepared statement. “We’ve given 127 alleged offenders an opportunity to resolve these issues with our office or face possible legal action for violating state law. Our investigation of other businesses into price gouging remains ongoing.”

The majority of the gas stations targeted are in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Central Texas gas stations on the list are:

• Star Stop 38, 4912 Monterrey Oaks Blvd., Austin
• Stassney Food Mart, 5717 S. Interstate 35, Austin
• Sunrise Mini Mart, 102 W. Powell Lane, Austin
• Sam Bass Shell, 806 Sam Bass Road, Round Rock
• Peterson Food Mart, 8851 N. U.S. 77, Giddings

Amid the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Paxton previously said his office received some 5,500 Harvey-related complaints alleging price gouging. Offenders can be fined or forced to issue refunds.

Those who believe they may have been gouged during Harvey can call the state's Consumer Protection Hotline toll-free at (800) 621-0508, email consumeremergency@oag.texas.gov, or file a complaint online at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/file-a-consumer-complaint.

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