Today, Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper helped consumers strike back against corporate greed. The Attorney General won a settlement against dozens of gas stations who inflated their prices in the wake of Hurricane Ike. According to the Attorney General’s press release (PDF), the settlement includes $73,447 in potential restitution for consumers who were ripped off at the pump.

The Tennessee Democratic Party has helped bring attention to the price gouging by Pilot Corp. and other gas stations in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in September 2008. Pilot Corp. was caught marking up prices at three gas stations in Knoxville and one in Powell.

TNDP Chairman Chip Forrester praised the settlement. “In the wake of a natural disaster, oil companies made a huge profit at the expense of drivers all over the country. I’m happy that Tennesseans are finally getting their money back,” Forrester said.

Bill Haslam is the former vice-president of Pilot Corporation, a petroleum corporation founded by his father Jim Haslam and headquarted in Knoxville. Haslam is currently the mayor of Knoxville and also a Republican candidate for Governor.

“In 2010, we will need a Governor who will look out for the Tennesseans who are struggling to keep their jobs and provide for their families,” Forrester said. “I just hope that Bill Haslam doesn’t treat the voters of Tennessee like his family’s company treated drivers in Powell.”

EARLIER: TNDP calls on Ramsey to return Pilot Oil money