A Sunoco gas station off of Route 17K in Montgomery has received a $500 fine for price gouging. The establishment was caught selling a package with two containers of two fluid ounces of hand sanitizer for $11.99.

The business was fined after several complaints were filed from residents. In response to this incident, an inspector from Orange County’s Department of Weights and Measures/Consumer Affairs was dispatched to the gas station to investigate. The merchant violated Local Law 6 of 1988 for unconscionable practices.
According to Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations, a notice was mailed out to the merchant on March 18. Jesse Sinjh, owner of the station, plans to seek legal advice on the matter. He claims that he was not price gouging, as he purchased the hand sanitizers at $6 each, prompting him to increase the price in order to draw a profit. The hand sanitizers sold out in a day after he decided to sell them at $5.99 on March 13.

Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus cautioned people against unnecessary “binge buying” and illegal price gouging.

“I have four children and I understand the desire to protect our families,” he said. “Price gouging, as Governor Cuomo has noted, is illegal. If people become aware of price gouging in Orange County, I encourage them to notify the County Attorney’s Office at 845-291-3150. I have authorized the County Attorney to commence litigation against any establishment engaging in price gouging.”

Montgomery Town Supervisor Brian Maher also encouraged people to report price gouging if they see it taking place. At the same time he noted that people cannot rush to judge businesses.

“This unprecedented time has really hurt businesses in a tough way,” he said. “I know I’ve seen first hand some cases of businesses that are trying to do the right thing and then when they realize a price is a little too high, they fix it and correct it as soon as possible. Orange County is identifying some of these businesses, they are doing investigations. Sometimes they don’t come up with something and sometimes they offer fines.”