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The state Attorney General's Office said today that two NJ hotels and a gas station will pay more than $89,000 to settle allegations that they jacked up prices after Hurricane Sandy.

(Contributed photo)

TRENTON — Two hotels and a gas station have agreed to pay $89,946 to settle allegations that they illegally jacked up prices after Hurricane Sandy to take advantage of people desperate for fuel and shelter, state authorities said today.

C&M Exxon in East Hanover agreed to pay $26,000 to settle claims that it charged as much as $4.79 for credit card sales of regular gasoline, more than 26 percent above its price prior to the state of emergency. The station charges as much as $5.09 for credit card sales of premium fuel, state authorities said.

The Berkeley Hotel in Asbury Park will pay $45,000, including nearly $6,000 to customers, to settle claims brought by the state Attorney General's Office that it raised room rates by as much as 117 percent above normal prices.

And the Studio Inn & Suites in Galloway will pay $25,000, including about $1,400 in restitution to customers, authorities said, settling claims that it raised room rates by as much as 283 percent during the state of emergency.

To date, the Attorney General's Office has resolved 21 of the 27 lawsuits filed against businesses accused of price gouging during the state of emergency declared in response to the storm, collecting more than $900,000 in civil penalties and other costs.

RELATED COVERAGE

• 3 more N.J. businesses accused of price gouging during Sandy

• Two N.J. gas stations pay $46K for price gouging during Hurricane Sandy emergency

• N.J. price gouging complaints soar following Sandy, state says

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