MADISON, Wis. -- Just days after making a similar announcement against another company, Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager said Friday that a judgment against gasoline retailer Murphy Oil USA Inc., in the state Department of Justice's suit against the company for illegally raising the posted prices of gasoline more than once in 24 hours.
Under the terms of the judgment, Murphy will pay the State $10,203.96.
The suit alleged that Murphy raised prices in violation of the law in the days following Hurricane Katrina at [image-nocss] Murphy Oil retailers throughout the state, including in Sauk, Langlade, Crawford, Wood, Monroe and Sawyer counties. The judgment was entered by a Crawford County Circuit Court, where the suit was filed.
Murphy was ordered to pay forfeitures and fines, abide by the law in the future, and certify that reasonable polices and procedures had been put in place to ensure future violations not occur. The parties also stipulated that, in lieu of restitution, the company will donate $3,140.96 to a Prairie du Chien emergency services unit.
The law requires that every wholesaler or other entity selling or distributing motor fuel in the state keep posted, in a conspicuous place, the net selling price per gallon of all grades of motor fuel and the amount of all taxes per gallon. Under the law, all prices posted shall remain in effect for at least 24 hours. The law provides up to $200 in forfeitures per violation.
The AG's suit against Murphy was one of seven filed in May against gasoline companies for raising the posted prices of gasoline more than once in 24 hours in the days following Katrina. During that time, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection had received numerous consumer complaints against gasoline retailers for rapidly increasing fuel prices, it said.
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