From Asbury Park Press.
LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Stephen's Garden Center in Long Branch, accused of price gouging in the sale of generators after superstorm Sandy, will pay $33,000 to settle the case, the state's consumer agency said Thursday.
Last year, the state Division of Consumer Affairs filed a lawsuit against Stephen's Landscaping, doing business as Stephen's Garden Center, accusing it of price gouging by increasing its markup of generators by as much as 80.35 percent during the superstorm Sandy state of emergency.
Under state law, businesses are not allowed to increase prices by more than 10 percent during a state of emergency.
"New Jersey's price gouging law specifically protects consumers against excessive price increases for necessary items, such as generators, during a declared state of emergency," acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said in a statement.
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