We were happy to report that the village of Ruidoso is finally allowing tourists to return. Not happy just for the tourists, but that Ruidoso survived (for the most part).

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With the immediate emergency over, the New Mexico Attorney General has pledged to look into allegations that some New Mexico hotels and motels were “price-gouging” evacuees.

New Mexico A.G. Raul Torrez sent cease and desist letters to six hotels, five in Roswell and one in Artesia.  Torres says he heard the allegations, not only from frustrated customers…but also from hotel employees.

“What we heard is that a number of these hotels , many of which are connected with national and international branded hotel chains, unjustifiably raised rates on consumers who were fleeing the fire…under a mandatory evacuation order”, Torrez said.

But, Torres emphasized that these are just allegations until a full investigation can take place.

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“If we determine (price gouging) has occurred”, Torrez said, they will give the hotels the opportunity to make things square with customers they allegedly gouged. If they choose not to reimburse the wronged parties, Torrez says his office will file to bring a $5,000 fine per violation.

The hotels accused of price-gouging wildfire refugees are: Baymont by Wyndham; Clarion Inn; Holiday Inn; and Home2 Suites by Hilton. All of those are in Roswell.

The hotel in Artesia alleged to have gouged is the La Quinta.

Attorney General Torrez says his office is already on the lookout for the kind of fraud that often follows a natural disaster. “You get fly-by-night contractors who descend on a community”, Torrez said. They take payments for construction jobs, and then just leave and walk away.”

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