Crist reaches $609,000 settlement in hurricane price gouging

June 19, 2006

ANorth Carolina-based company has reached a settlement to resolve Florida price gouging allegations stemming from the 2004 hurricane season, according to Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist. Crist identified the company as Southeastern Restoration Inc., also known as Afterdisaster.

Crist said his price gouging hotline received a complaint in early 2005 alleging that Afterdisaster was charging an exorbitant fee to a condominium association for water extraction and mold remediation services. Crist’s investigation focused on two condominiums, the Oceania and the Aegean, both in Destin. Investigators alleged that the Oceania was overbilled by at least 40 percent, while the Aegean was charged more than five times the cost.

Under the settlement, Afterdisaster will cred the Aegean for $550,000 and reimburse the Oceania $19,500. The company will provide specific price lists when offering services during a state of emergency in the future and will reimburse Florida $40,000 for the investigation.

Topics Florida Catastrophe Natural Disasters Hurricane

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