NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced Jan. 12 that Texas-based CITGO Petroleum (CITGO) will pay $456,610 after allegations of violating the Motor Fuels Act, the Consumer Fraud Act and the Advertising Regulations.
“The state of New Jersey takes very seriously its obligation to protect consumers from deceptive practices,” Porrino said. “This consent order helps to ensure that consumers purchasing CITGO gas receive exactly what they expect and are paying for.”
According to allegations, CITGO’s retail dealers often sold unbranded or off-brand gasoline under the CITGO name. Purported conduct of this nature violates the Motor Fuels Act.
“When consumers choose to purchase a brand, whether its gasoline or some other product, they often pay a premium for that brand,” said Steve Lee, director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “The division will take every necessary step to ensure that consumers who make such choices are protected from bait-and-switch tactics and any other violations of state consumer protection laws.”
Handling the case for New Jersey were deputy attorneys general Russell M. Smith Jr. and Jeffrey Koziar of the consumer fraud prosecution section within the Division of Law.