MADISON, Wis. Wisconsin Attorney General Peggy Lautenschlager has announced that a Dane County Circuit Court has entered a judgment against Speedway SuperAmerica LLC, in the AG's lawsuit against the company for illegally raising the posted prices of gasoline more than once in 24 hours in the days following Hurricane Katrina.
The judgment enjoins the company from violating the law in the future, requires it implement policies and procedures to ensure no future violations occur and imposes forfeitures and penalties for past violations, Lautenschlager [image-nocss] said.
The state Department of Justice initiated seven lawsuits against retailers and other distributors of gasoline in May following an investigation initiated by the Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection in the wake of Katrina. During that time, complaints from Wisconsin consumers concerning high gasoline prices were reported to the state. The complaints involved numerous alleged violations statewide, some involving price changes made in less than an hour.
Wisconsin 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.
Lautenschlager said, Wisconsin consumers are paying record high gas prices. When gas stations violate our state's pricing law, particularly in the wake of a natural disaster, they need to be held accountable. The Wisconsin Department of Justice vigorously enforces Wisconsin laws and will continue to seek and win judgments against violators.
The suit against Speedway SuperAmerica was filed in Dane County because it involved a Madison-area retail outlet. The court ordered, by stipulation of the parties, that Speedway pay the state $1,834.13, some $1,111.13 of which will be allocated to the Dane County first responder's unit.
The judgment was obtained by the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection.
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