Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt says that sharp spikes in natural gas prices last winter appear to violate Kansas law and he is seeking outside legal help to investigate them.

Schmidt's said on Monday it is looking to retain a law firm with expertise in the natural gas marketplace to help investigate and with any potential civil litigation aimed at enforcing the state’s anti-profiteering law.

Schmidt said that state law prohibits unjustified price increases for necessary goods and services during a declared state of disaster emergency.