{"id":2348171,"date":"2024-10-01T16:57:02","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T20:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gas-station-accused-of-price-gouging-after-hurricane-helene-charging-10-gallon-to-struggling-citizens\/"},"modified":"2024-10-01T16:59:15","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T20:59:15","slug":"gas-station-accused-of-price-gouging-after-hurricane-helene-charging-10-gallon-to-struggling-citizens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gas-station-accused-of-price-gouging-after-hurricane-helene-charging-10-gallon-to-struggling-citizens\/","title":{"rendered":"Gas Station Accused of Price Gouging After Hurricane Helene, Charging $10\/Gallon to Struggling Citizens"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgas-station-accused-of-price-gouging-after-hurricane-helene-charging-10-gallon-to-struggling-citizens%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2348171&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A gas station in Augusta,\u200d Georgia, is facing accusations of price gouging following \u200cHurricane Helene, which\u2062 has caused devastation in the area. A video on TikTok captured a crowd\u2063 around a gas \u200dpump where an employee was \u2062allegedly selling gasoline for $10 per \u2062gallon, significantly above normal prices. The incident\u200b prompted public outrage, with viewers expressing their anger and \u200bcalling \u2063for repercussions against the gas station. Under Georgia \u200blaw, price gouging during a declared state of \u2062emergency is illegal, \u2064and violations \u2062can incur fines ranging \u200bfrom $2,000 to $15,000 per instance. Governor Brian Kemp&#8217;s recent executive order specifically included\u200c fuel\u200c in the list of protected goods against price increases during emergencies. The situation highlights concerns \u2063about \u2063exploitation during crises,\u2064 as authorities work to manage\u2062 the aftermath of the storm and prevent looting in affected communities.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> <script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_1)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A gas station in Georgia is accused of price gouging a community left devastated in the wake of Hurricane Helene.<\/p>\n<p>Video uploaded earlier this week to the now-private TikTok account <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@bggfarm\/video\/7420228097993182494\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BGGFarm<\/a> showed a crowd of people around a gas pump at Pope&rsquo;s Grocery Store (Formerly Smile Grocery) in Augusta, Georgia, as a man, presumably an employee of the gas station, filled a container on the ground.<\/p>\n<p>The man behind the camera questioned employees on how much was being charged per gallon, but he was immediately questioned about why he was recording a video.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;One more time, how much a gallon?&rdquo; the man asked. &ldquo;I just want to hear.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>A woman standing at the pump began calling him out for recording the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-asks-ftc-to-probe-alleged-price-gouging-by-gasoline-providers-mounting-evidence\/\" title=\"Biden Asks FTC To Probe Alleged Price Gouging By Gasoline Providers: \u2018Mounting Evidence\u2019\">alleged price gouging<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Why is he taking a video?&rdquo; she asked. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s taking a video!&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>A man then stepped into frame and confirmed the price being charged for a gallon of gas was $10. &ldquo;Video me,&rdquo; he told the person making the recording, pointing to himself as the video ended.<\/p>\n<p>Although the original TikTok account is private, the video has now been uploaded across the internet.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">OUTRAGEOUS: Gas station in Augusta, GA is engaging in price gouging, charging $10 per gallon!<\/p>\n<p>If you suspect price gouging, report it to the Georgia Consumer Protection Division at:<\/p>\n<p>Consumer Complaints: (404)651-8600<\/p>\n<p>Toll-free in Georgia: (800) 869-1123<\/p>\n<p>Or Online Complaint&hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1XqF2ABbaJ\">pic.twitter.com\/1XqF2ABbaJ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; I Meme Therefore I Am &#127482;&#127480; (@ImMeme0) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ImMeme0\/status\/1840739979825123590?\">September 30, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Users were furious over the video, with many calling for the gas station and its owners to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lenders-urge-supreme-court-to-strike-down-consumer-financial-protection-bureau\/\" title=\"Lenders urge SCOTUS to scrap CFPB.\">face severe repercussions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Price gouging in a national emergency is against the law this is why they don&rsquo;t want to be recorded. Turn them in.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Tiger&#127482;&#127480; (@TinyTiger1962) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TinyTiger1962\/status\/1840786976464581100?\">September 30, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Hope they go to prison and lose their store<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ryan &ndash; Wake up America (@RyanLayne17) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RyanLayne17\/status\/1840822275140108306?\">September 30, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Their licenses should be revoked and the business closed. There&rsquo;s no way to justify theft.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; CaptainUSATX (@CaptainUSATX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CaptainUSATX\/status\/1840868855318482999?\">September 30, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The change in the location&rsquo;s name from Smile Grocery to Pope&rsquo;s Grocery Store appears to be a very <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-says-absurdly-cruel-us-embargo-is-partly-responsible-for-cuban-suffering\/\" title=\"Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Says \u2018Absurdly Cruel\u2019 US Embargo Is Partly Responsible For Cuban Suffering\">recent adjustment<\/a>, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=%22pope%27s+grocery%22++%22830+stevens+creek%22&amp;sca_esv=f2ad83ee939cc1c8&amp;sca_upv=1&amp;rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS1128US1128&amp;source=lnt&amp;tbs=cdr%3A1%2Ccd_min%3A%2Ccd_max%3A9%2F20%2F2024&amp;tbm=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google results from before Helene&rsquo;s landfall<\/a> showed no listings for Pope&rsquo;s Grocery at the gas station&rsquo;s location.<\/p>\n<p>Georgia businesses are prohibited from price gouging during a declared state of emergency.<\/p>\n<p>After an emergency is declared, the governor must then specify which goods, if any, the law will apply to.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Businesses may not sell any of the specified goods or services at prices higher than the prices at which those same goods or services were offered before the declaration of a state of emergency,&rdquo; a post on the Georgia Attorney General&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.georgia.gov\/business-services\/emergency-price-controls\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Consumer Protection Division website<\/a> said. &ldquo;Nor may a business raise the price of supplies or services for the purpose of salvaging, repairing or rebuilding structures damaged as the result of a natural disaster.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Violators of this law can be fined anywhere between $2,000 and $15,000 per violation.<\/p>\n<p>Governor Brian Kemp&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/gov.georgia.gov\/executive-action\/executive-orders\/2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sept. 24 executive order<\/a> declaring a state of emergency over Helene specified fuel as one of the items that is now protected under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-yorks-democratic-ag-goes-after-price-gouging-amid-formula-shortage\/\" title=\"New York\u2019s Democratic AG Goes After \u2018Price Gouging\u2019 Amid Formula Shortage\">price gouging law<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In the order, Kemp declared &ldquo;price gouging related to good and services necessary for preparation, response and recovery activities for this State of Emergency for Tropical Storm Helene, including motor fuel, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrat-sen-tester-canceling-keystone-pipeline-was-a-mistake\/\" title=\"Democrat Sen. Tester: Canceling Keystone pipeline was a mistake\">diesel fuel<\/a>, and other petroleum products, would be detrimental to the social and economic welfare of the citizens of this State and is therefore prohibited.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Helene&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/meteorologist-posts-disturbing-video-capturing-tragic-item-carried-away-floodwaters-horrific-heartbreaking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">destruction was felt across multiple states<\/a>, seeing homes and communities virtually wiped off the map.<\/p>\n<p>Looting has also been a concern for survivors of the disaster, and law enforcement has already made <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/eight-migrants-arrested-allegedly-looting-flood-ravaged-tennessee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">multiple arrests in the region<\/a>. Officials have put guards on food, water and fuel supply caches in many areas.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> <label>* Name<\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> <\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> <label>* <\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> <\/div>\n<p> <label>* Message<\/label> <br \/> <textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea>  <\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> <input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\">  <\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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A video shared earlier this week on the now-private TikTok account BGGFarm captured a crowd at a gas pump at Pope\u2019s Grocery Store (previously Smile Grocery) in Augusta, Georgia. In the footage, a man, likely an employee, was seen filling a container while another individual questioned staff about the per-gallon price. The inquiry was met with hostility from bystanders who criticized him for recording. A woman at the pump confronted him, asking why he was filming. Eventually, another man confirmed that gas was being sold for $10 per gallon and encouraged the recording to continue as the video concluded. Although the original TikTok account is private now, the video has circulated widely online.<\/p>\n<p>Outrage ensued among viewers who demanded accountability for the gas station and its owners due to illegal price gouging during emergencies. Many expressed hopes that those responsible would face severe penalties or even imprisonment.<\/p>\n<p>The name change from Smile Grocery to Pope\u2019s Grocery appears recent; prior Google searches showed no listings for Pope\u2019s at that location before Hurricane Helene struck.<\/p>\n<p>Georgia law prohibits price gouging during declared emergencies; once such an emergency is announced by the governor, specific goods are protected under this law against unjustified price increases. Violators can incur fines ranging from $2,000 to $15,000 per infraction. Governor Brian Kemp&#8217;s executive order on September 24 included fuel among items protected under these regulations due to concerns over social and economic welfare following Tropical Storm Helene&#8217;s impact.<\/p>\n<p>The storm caused widespread destruction across several states and raised concerns about looting in affected areas; law enforcement has made multiple arrests related to these incidents while securing food and fuel supplies in various locations<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2348172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/default_wj.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[42105,36570,34354,41774,38217],"class_list":["post-2348171","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-10-gallon","tag-consumer-rights","tag-gas-station","tag-hurricane-helene","tag-price-gouging"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/default_wj.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2348171","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2348171"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2348171\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2348172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2348171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2348171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2348171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}