Complaints of price gouging lodged in Louisiana

The Louisiana attorney general's office has received price gouging complaints, largely about gasoline prices.

Spokeswoman Amanda Larkins said Tuesday that the office also has recorded "a handful of complaints" about prices for hotels, batteries, cigarettes, gas cans and water.

Louisiana's price gouging ban was in effect as soon as Gov. Bobby Jindal declared a state of emergency in advance of Isaac, a declaration made Sunday. The law prohibits a seller from pricing items above pre-emergency levels unless there's a market shortage.

Larkins said stores that sell gasoline are allowed to raise prices if their costs have risen because of refinery issues. She said retailers have to keep their paperwork to prove those increased costs.

The attorney general's office has a toll-free number to report price gouging complaints, at 1-800-351-4889.