TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Three Tampa Bay area hotels have been accused of price gouging during evacuations for Hurricane Matthew.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said Thursday in a statement that civil actions have been taken against three hotels in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties.
The cases were filed against companies and owners of:
- Days Inn in Tampa
- Red Roof Inn in Clearwater
- Sleep Inn & Suites in Lakeland
Bondi says the hotels charged evacuees anywhere from $140 to $200 more a night than the usual rate.
The Attorney General's Office is seeking civil penalties and restitution to the customers who paid the excessive prices.