JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster is accusing a Joplin landlord of price gouging after a deadly tornado hit the southwest Missouri city.
Koster said Wednesday that he filed a lawsuit against David Box Jr. for raising rental prices after the May 22 tornado. Koster says one tenant was notified that rent would rise from $475 to $595 a month and two others were told their rent would go up to $550 a month. The lawsuit says the tenants were given three days to contact the landlord or else their homes could be rented to someone else.
Box did not immediately return a message left Wednesday at his business.
The lawsuit seeks a court injunction against the allegedly unfair practices, restitution for tenants and a civil penalty.