NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued an alert warning businesses against price gouging of essential items amid a strong lake effect snowstorm bringing heavy snow to Western New York. A state of emergency has been declared by the Governor in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Wyoming, and contiguous counties. New York’s price gouging law prevents businesses from taking advantage of consumers by selling essential goods or services at an excessively higher price during market disruptions or emergencies. Attorney General James urges New Yorkers who see higher prices on essential goods and services to report the issue to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).