| NEWARK
– Motiva Enterprises LLC (“Motiva”),
which operates Shell gas stations throughout
New Jersey, has voluntarily settled a lawsuit
filed by the State of New Jersey in September
2005 that alleged violations of the New
Jersey Motor Fuels Act, including multiple
price increases within a 24-hour period,
Attorney General Zulima V. Farber and Consumer
Affairs Director Kimberly Ricketts announced
today.
In settling the lawsuit, Motiva agreed to
pay New Jersey $371,000 and adhere to state
law regarding the pricing of gasoline. Both
sides agreed to settle the matter without
an admission of any violation having occurred.
“With
gasoline prices soaring again, we will continue
monitoring stations throughout the state
to make sure consumers are treated fairly,”
said Attorney General Farber.
This settlement was announced as the Division's
Office of Weights and Measures steps up
monitoring of gas stations across the state
to ensure that station owners and attendants
are adhering to consumer protection laws.
Investigators are checking to ensure that,
among other things, gas prices are not changed
more than once in a 24-hour period, per-gallon
prices displayed on roadside signs match
the price on the pump, and octane levels
are accurate. Over the past weekend,15 citations
were issued after visits to 200 gas stations.
With this agreement, New Jersey has reached
settlements with all three oil companies
sued in September 2005. A fourth company
reached an agreement with the state without
a lawsuit being filed. New Jersey has received
$1.38 million under these four settlements.
Under terms of the settlement, Motiva
agrees to:
-
not change its retail motor fuel prices
more than once within a 24-hour period;
-
maintain required records at each service
station; and
-
permit an audit, examination or investigation
of the records maintained at its service
stations.
“Our
job is to protect New Jersey consumers,
and this agreement helps us do just that,”
said Director Ricketts.
In addition to Motiva, the state sued Amerada
Hess Corporation and Sunoco, Inc. Amerada
Hess paid $372,391 under a settlement announced
in November 2005. Sunoco paid $325,000 under
a settlement announced this February.
BP Products North America, which was not
sued by the state, agreed to pay $315,000
under a settlement announced in January
2006.
In addition to the company-owned and -operated
stations, the state sued 18 independent
gas stations for alleged violations of the
State Motor Fuels Act and Consumer Fraud
Act. Settlements totaling $61,000 have been
reached with 13 of these stations to date.
Assistant Attorney General Michael A. Shipp
and Deputy Attorney General Jeffery Koziar
represented the state in the settlement
with Motiva.
#
# #
|
