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Attorney General Josh Stein has, in fact, reached a $20,305.58 settlement with Mansa Travel Center which is doing business as Queen’s Market. Then, he sued them in August. It was for allegedly violating a Southern state’s price gouging law during the Colonial Pipeline shutdown and state of emergency, this is according to the Attorney General’s Office.

Restitution for Customers

Unreasonably high prices for gasoline are what customers were forced to pay at Queen’s Market. In fact, they are eligible for restitution, Stein said.

Installing Software to Record Prices

The judgment does also require the defendant to permanently install the software. This is in addition to the payment. It would record the prices at which it does sell gas and the number of gallons it sold at each price.

Attorney General Wants Customers to get Relief

“Moreover, I’m pleased that customers who were forced to pay insane prices for gas during the pipeline shutdown are going to get some relief,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “In fact, the businesses cannot take advantage of a state of emergency. That is to price gouge North Carolinians. And, if they do, I’ll hold them accountable.”

Website to File Claims

Moreover, if the consumers who did purchase gasoline from Queen’s Market between May 11 and 14, 2021, and believe they were charged an excessive price, can in fact request a claim form by emailing PGSettlements@ncdoj.gov or to call the Attorney General’s There is an office toll-free within NC at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM

Attorney General: Lawsuit Calls out Price Gouging

Then the Attorney General Stein’s lawsuit did allege that Queen’s Market did raise prices for gas. It was as high as $9.99 per gallon for premium. It was literally a 256 percent increase.

Hypocrisy in Charging Excessive Prices

In fact, the company did allegedly sell gas to customers at these excessive prices. In fact, it hadn’t incurred similar increases in fuel costs. However, there are concerns about the gas station’s prices which went viral in May. There was a video that was recorded by Charlotte resident Clarissa Rankin who shared it across social media platforms. Also, Rankin’s video did show a gas pump that charged her nearly $90 for nine gallons of gas.

“As a result, I didn’t even look at the price until I started pumping. Then I looked over and it was going up by 10. It was like 10, 20, 30, 40 Woah, Woah, Woah!” explained Rankin.