By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Sept. 7 -- Michigan Atty. Gen. Mike Cox said he joined more than 30 attorneys general across the US—including Alabama's Troy King and Florida's Charlie Crist, whose states were hit by Hurricane Katrina—in a multistate comprehensive investigation of gasoline prices.
"Today's effort is the latest step my office has taken this week to prevent and investigate potential gas gouging as a result of Hurricane Katrina," Cox said Sept. 2.
Cox said investigators planned to review gasoline pricing during a 30-day period ending Aug. 27. A team of lawyers from participating states will focus on common areas of interest, including pricing at crude oil points of entry and refining costs, he said.
In addition, individual states will gather and analyze information about events that occurred wholly within their state borders, particularly since Hurricane Katrina, Cox said.
His office had received more than 1,000 telephone calls and e-mails from Michigan consumers with concerns about gasoline prices as of Sept. 2, he said.
On Sept. 1, Cox was among five Midwestern attorneys general who signed a letter calling for the US Federal Trade Commission to investigate high gasoline prices. Cox joined Lisa Madigan of Illinois, Tom Miller of Iowa, Jay Nixon of Missouri, and Peg Lautenschlager of Wisconsin.
"All of these efforts will ensure that if criminal activity took place at any point along the supply chain, we will find it," Cox said.
