TOLEDO, Ohio – State investigators are looking into nearly 60 complaints about price gouging during the water emergency in Toledo that left 400,000 people without clean tap water.
The office of Attorney General Mike DeWine has sent letters to 58 businesses about bottled water prices before, during and after the water emergency that happened just over a week ago. The letters were in response to 56 complaints DeWine says his Consumer Protection Section has received.
“It is possible that the facts will show that no violations occurred, but we want to make sure that the businesses substantiate any price increases and ensure they conformed with Ohio law. Those that cannot substantiate their actions may face legal repercussions,” DeWine said.
Residents around Toledo were left scrambling for water for more than two days after tests showed the city’s water supply was contaminated with a toxin likely coming from algae on Lake Erie (above).
In the letters sent Friday, investigators ask businesses to document prices they paid for water from June 1 to Aug. 1, during the weekend Aug. 2-4 and on Aug. 5, after the ban on using tap water was lifted. The letters also asked documentation of the prices the businesses paid for water during those time periods.
DeWine had encouraged residents to contact his office if they suspected unfairly high prices were being for bottled water as a result of the ban
Ohio doesn’t have a law that defines price gouging but does ban unconscionable sales practices.