JACKSON, Miss. -- A Jackson, Miss., lawyer has filed a federal lawsuit against oil companies and distributors over the increase in gasoline prices after Hurricane Katrina, said the Associated Press.
The suit by John Arthur Eaves Jr., which represents only one side of a legal argument, accuses the defendants of price gouging during an emergency.
"Hurricane Katrina was the worst natural disaster to befall our state, and it is unthinkable that anyone would try to take advantage of Mississippians and our businesses at such a time," [image-nocss] the lawsuit said. "With skyrocketing gas prices over the last year and record oil company profits, it is time to take a stand to fight this egregious behavior and hold accountable those responsible for escalating gas prices that are busting the budgets of Mississippi families and businesses from Biloxi to Batesville."
And 39 Mississippi residents, most from the southern part of the state, are listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which was filed this week in U.S. District Court in Hattiesburg.
Eaves said his firm sought plaintiffs by placing an advertisement in the Hattiesburg American in November 2005, less than three months after Katrina swept through the state on August 29.
Among the defendants are Chevron Corp., ConocoPhillips and Exxon Mobil Corp. Exxon Mobil spokesperson Prem Nair told AP that she could not comment on the lawsuit because company officials had not had a chance to review it. "During last year's hurricanes, ExxonMobil priced fuel responsibly and encouraged our retailers to do the same," Nair said. "In addition, a recent Federal Trade Commission investigation found no instances of market manipulation during Katrina or Rita."
Spokespersons for Chevron and ConocoPhillips did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The lawsuit says gasoline prices in Mississippi were at or near $3 after Katrina "and it was only two years ago that Mississippians were paying less than $1.50 a gallon."
Eaves said he will ask a federal judge to allow the case to be tried as a class-action lawsuit on behalf of anyone who has purchased gasoline in Mississippi since Katrina.
Eaves, 40, said he is considering running for governor as a Democrat next year. Republican Gov. Haley Barbour is expected to seek another term.
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