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ARTICLE · 01 SEPTEMBER 2014

State AGs In The News - August 21st, 2014

Blank Rome
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In response to consumer complaints, Ohio AG Mike DeWine is investigating businesses for bottled water price gouging during the city of Toledo's water ban.

United StatesConsumer Protection
Bernard Nash
Bernard Nash
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Antitrust

Ohio Attorney General Investigates Businesses for Potential Price Gouging Following a City Tap Water Ban

  • In response to consumer complaints, Ohio AG Mike DeWine is investigating businesses for any possible bottled water price gouging during the city of Toledo's water ban. The city of Toledo banned the use of tap water for drinking and food preparation after allegedly finding toxins in its water supply.
  • As part of his investigation, AG DeWine has sent letters to 58 businesses seeking information about the price of bottled water before, during, and after the water ban.
  • While the state does not have a statute that defines price gouging, the state Consumer Sales Practices Act prohibits unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable sales practices. According to the AG, under that law, a practice could be considered unconscionable if the supplier knew at the time of the transaction that the price was substantially higher than the price at which similar goods

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