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State promises to prosecute gas stations that cheat customers

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From Staff and Wire Reports

Monday, May 05, 2008 - 06:26:12 pm CDT

Nebraska gas stations trying to cheat customers by selling alcohol-blended gas as regular unleaded will be prosecuted, Attorney General Jon Bruning said Monday.

“Certainly, I would ask Nebraskans to be patient as we investigate these claims, but rest assured we’re going to make sure people play by the rules,”Bruning said in a statement.

The administrator for the Nebraska Department of Weights and Measures told the North Platte Telegraph last week his agency has been more aggressive about testing stations across the state to see if customers are getting what they paid for.

And it’s found three to four stations a week trying to cheat customers.

Steve Malone said that’s more than anticipated.

The most common trick is for a station to have alcohol in fuel advertised as having no alcohol, Malone said.

Violating stations are charging 5 to 10 cents a gallon more for that gas when it is basically the same as the less-expensive ethanol.

Those stations have their pumps shut down until they correct the problem. Then they are forced to pump out the incorrect product and substitute the correct product, Malone told the Telegraph.

The inspector also asks  for six months of sales receipts to send to the attorney general.

In February, a North Platte Shell Timesaver station came under scrutiny when it was found to have a higher concentration of ethanol in its advertised E-10 pumps.

An investigation of the violations was under way and no more details would be immediately released, said Bobbie Kriz-Wickham, spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture, which oversees Weights and Measures.

The department is cooperating with the attorney general’s office, she said.

The department would not release the names of the businesses in violation.

Bruning said gas prices are high and people ought to get what they pay for.

People who think they’ve been victims of a gas scam should contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, (800) 727-6432 or www.ago.ne.gov.


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places should be released wrote on May 4, 2008 6:41 pm:
" The name and location of these stations should be released along with the violation info, same as the health department releases restaurant inspections so the public knows what places have issues. "

 me wrote on May 4, 2008 6:55 pm:
" I want the state to shut these stations down. They are crooks and shouldn't be in business. "

 Really ticked wrote on May 4, 2008 6:56 pm:
" These stations that get caught cheating should be permanently closed. This is ridiculous. "

 bye bouy wrote on May 4, 2008 7:08 pm:
" Wouldn't the company that delivers the gas be involved in the scam, since they are the one filling the underground fuel tanks. Could it possibly be them scamming the gas stations? "

 Shu them down wrote on May 4, 2008 7:52 pm:
" Cheats anyway. Maybe about two years of jail time would rehab these low life scumballs. "

 MACKADO wrote on May 4, 2008 8:08 pm:
" There should be some criminal charges coming for these dis-honest business's!! I'm not surprised about this activity, I'm sure there are more doing this, and worse!! Great Business's we have here in America!! No wonder Nobody wants to do Business with us, the american business's will RIP YOU OFF!! And then, everyone wonders why, people become angry, and want to cause violence!! "

 A. K. wrote on May 4, 2008 8:22 pm:
" So, is there a place where we can get a list of the cheating gas stations? Sending to the AG's office is fine, but the biggest penalty is to let the public know the names of the cheaters; they will get what they deserve when we no longer buy gas from them. "

 GREED wrote on May 4, 2008 8:25 pm:
" GREED, it's not going to get any better until the punishment is much more harsh. "

 mh wrote on May 4, 2008 8:53 pm:
" let's see, these places are selling more renewable energy grown here in nebraska and less oil from overseas and you are upset, i fail to understand why we americans would prefer to fatten the pockets of foreign oil over helping our neighboring farmers here in nebraksa "

 Jeorge wrote on May 4, 2008 8:54 pm:
" Does the Attorney General choose to do anything about these stations? I understand he is not much for upholding federal law unless a Caucasian is being threatened. "

 dl wrote on May 4, 2008 10:12 pm:
" Let's see... I don't believe that the idea of fattening the wallets of foreign oil companies is the point here, it's the fact that you want to get what you pay for. Personally, my car is not suppose to have gas with alcohol in it. If I pay for a pound of beef, that's what I want - same thing with gas! "

 ssp wrote on May 4, 2008 10:13 pm:
" mh, it may have something to do with the fact that ethanol is an inferior fuel that we don't want to burn in our cars. And perhaps we're sick of farmers rolling in the dough while we pay 50% more for our food. "

 lolly wrote on May 4, 2008 10:29 pm:
" First of all I agree with those who say a list of these stations need to be posted for the public. Second my car manufacturer does not recommend using ethanol. So who is going to pay when my car malfunctions because of these cheats? Hopefully something is done about this problem but I have a feeling that like always they will say we can't do anything about it. Well they are stealing from the public and if I went in their establishment and took a candy bar you can be sure I would be arrested for shoplifting, what is the difference? "

 ARJ wrote on May 4, 2008 10:49 pm:
" MH It's hard for me to understand your thought process here. They are STEALING and FALSELY ADVERTISING their product!! If they want to sell Ethanol and keep the cost of food high and the MPG of your vehicle DOWN if you choose to use it that's between you and them... As for me, sell me what you said you were selling me. And no, I do not like paying foriegn countries for oil that we have plenty of here RIGHT NOW if Congress would allow us to extract the 200 years worth of "coal oil" that can (according to the Governor of Montana) be had for $50/barrel with today's technology. "

 Gasser wrote on May 4, 2008 11:08 pm:
" The delivery person isn't to blame because the retailer can instruct the driver to put whatever they want to in the tank. The violation happens at the point of sale. The stations involved should have to display a sign for a year that informs everyone that they got caught cheating, so motorists can be warned befor doing business there. "

 Darren wrote on May 5, 2008 12:24 am:
" Turning the information over to the AG is the same as tossing it in the garbage. The average nebraskan can't line the AG's pockets or contribute nearly as much to his campaign fund as the oil companies can. Remember this is the guy that said we aren't being gouged. Offending stations should have their name run in the paper every week so they can go bankrupt. "

 business Owner wrote on May 5, 2008 3:23 am:
" I own a food and alcohol business, and when I have random health inspections, allof the data collected is public knowledge. Once we got listed for "unsanitary conditions" because one of our bartenders was using a glass without a lid (a rule in a bar!) and this information was listed in a blurb in the local paper - not as an employee cup without a lid, but as "unsanitary consitions". How on earth can people lie about what they are selling you, yet we in the public dont know what stations are doing this. I think it needs to be made public, so we can choose where to buy our gas. "

 Hank wrote on May 5, 2008 5:45 am:
" While traveling through western Ne. on I 80, we saw a sign that read "dinosaur pits." Well having the time, we thought it would be fun to see them and took the turnoff. After a few miles, we came across a filling station and needing a little gas, decided to fill up. While paying for the gas, I asked the clerk where the pits were and she said,"about 600 miles that way and pointed north."
Well, we didn't see the pits but had a good laugh at the ingenious way the station owner came up with to get people off of the expressway and to his station. "

 Right to know wrote on May 5, 2008 6:07 am:
" I have to totally agree that these stations should be list just like the eating places. One place is hurting people with what they eat and the other is hurting the pocket book. Not much difference. Please AG office post the results. Let the honest stations get the sales they deserve and let the not so honest get what they deserve. "

 Gale Hakel wrote on May 5, 2008 6:14 am:
" Why dont you name the cheating gas stations? "

 check fax wrote on May 5, 2008 6:26 am:
" mh supporting farmers is good, cheating consumers is not good and illegal, one gallon of gasoline that contains alcohol will give you less miles per gallon then one gallon without alchohol. As a consumer I have a right to fair representation for products that I purchase and should not be a victim of bait and switch tactics. Your reference to support farmers VS oversea oil sources is an important issue but should not be confused with the issue of consumer fraud. MACKADO, do you honestly think violence is an appropriate and measured response to this illegal activity? "

 GasMiser wrote on May 5, 2008 6:57 am:
" You mean, the only punishment they get is that their pumps are shut down until they correct the problem? This is criminal! They should be cited at the VERY LEAST, and those found responsible for collusion should be cited as well.

I agree with others who have posted. List the names and locations. Just like the Health Department does with citations for restaurants, we should know who is trying to cheat us. Only when we hurt them by removing our business will it be an effective deterrent. "

 REFUND wrote on May 5, 2008 7:36 am:
" tell us the gas stations so I can go get my money back "

 Peggy wrote on May 5, 2008 7:49 am:
" I'd like to know which stations are doing this so I can make sure they don't get my business! "

 JT wrote on May 5, 2008 8:07 am:
" Some one schould be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for cheating the public. As for the use of ethanol, My car will run on either but I can save $3.50 a week at $3.55 for regular vs.$3.45 for ethanol driving in Lincoln, Why should we continue to use ethanol, We would use less crude oil if we did not use the inefficient corn based fuel. I challenge every one to compare to see how your vehical compares to ethanol. "

 Ej wrote on May 5, 2008 8:24 am:
" you will get less fuel milage with the ethanol blends . I believe there are a few stations in lincoln doing this as well. Watch your fuel milage and ask questions. "

 Nina wrote on May 5, 2008 8:27 am:
" Yes, names should be published, so the public is aware. That's only fair. Another bonus of publishing the names: Anyone paying that much more (one station I saw last week had regular 70 cents more than ethanol blend) is one who thinks their car 'doesn't run right' on ethanol. If they've been filling up at one of the named stations, and didn't notice any difference getting the 'fake' regular, ethanol has some potential new customers! "

 Lisa wrote on May 5, 2008 8:30 am:
" When ethonal just came out, I made it a point NEVER to purchase the stuff. Unfortunetly I'm 26 and since I turned 16, gas has gone from $0.89 to $3.70 and I can not afford to pay the extra.
I think these gas stations should have BOTH ethonal & ethanol-free gas available, properly labeled, and their names listed in the newspaper and online. Also, include ALL business owners and employees who rang the sale. Maybe if the clerks at the counter get embarrased they'll pressure their bosses. "

 Dingle Dangle wrote on May 5, 2008 8:34 am:
" I"m guessing Bruning won't prosecute any cases. Sometimes illegal immigrants buy gas. "

 What wrote on May 5, 2008 9:34 am:
" I was in North Platte this weekend. They advertise a lower gas price, which was $3.41/Gallon. However, this price is only on one pump. They have signs on the pumps, that you wouldn't notice, unless you're paying close attention, that state that price is only good on another pump. Cheating people out of their hard earned money is wrong. How do these people sleep at night? Shame on them. "

 Rhonda wrote on May 5, 2008 9:49 am:
" Well those of you that missed the point of the story and are blaming farmers and ethanol for high food prices need to wake up. It is the high price of oil that has caused the high food prices. The cost of food is affected more by oil then demand, production cost, trucking cost, etc. thsoe that think the farmers are just raking it in have never been to a farm, did you stop and think those farmers are paying high fuel prices to plant, harvest, and transport those crops, so that means it cost them more to....duh. Think about it before you judge. The whole "lets blame the farmer and ethanol" for higher food cost is just something to get the focus off the real problem and that is BIG OIL ! Plus my experience with ethanol was an increase in fuel mileage, I was shocked but it went up 2 MGP and my car has been running fine. I just had my car in for it's checkup and no problems at all, one year on ethanol and all is fine. "

 Rebecca Smith wrote on May 5, 2008 10:36 am:
" The state ought to be checking into price gouging too. Why on each day the price is set and a few minutes it goes up over 10-15 cents then all stations go up. Is there no ompetition? I think it is price fixing, does the state check into price fixing? "

 What the wrote on May 5, 2008 10:56 am:
" Well is this what is known as theft by deception and is it not against the law?
OK not only will the public not be informed of who is doing it but the culprits probably will not even be slapped on the hand.
This to me is another slap in the face by the system for the public.
They not only brag about record profits but have to cheat us as well and get no punishment for it.
This is starting to look like a country being held hostage by its own powers to be.
I not only can not afford to drive to work but I have to take a random shot in the dark at buying gas from an honest station because the crooked ones will not be exposed by the agencys that are suppose to be watching out for me.

Thank you for nothing.

Post these criminals names like any others would be give me at least that little bit of help in this losing battle. "

 Tom wrote on May 5, 2008 11:09 am:
" This is ridiculous. There should be a fine for this and perhaps closing down these stations for good. In era when gas prices are already high because of the greed of others and people go and do this, it's proof that there are some sick people out there "

 Dan wrote on May 5, 2008 11:11 am:
" Ethanol burns fine in my vehicle and I've never noticed any difference in fuel mileage. One thing you don't want in your vehicle when it's really hot out though is Ethanol so during the hot Summer months you may not want to run on it as it can cause vapor lock and shut your vehicle down.

I agree with most everyone here though that the names of the gas stations and the owners should be printed so we can know who to avoid in the future. "

 Ryan wrote on May 5, 2008 11:30 am:
" If I stole gas from hundreds of gas stations and was later ticketed, my name would appear in the paper and most likely on the news. Each one of these gas stations have "stolen" or "cheated" their customers. Tell me why the names are not released? "

 LW wrote on May 5, 2008 12:22 pm:
" First, list the names and let the public punish them by not using them. Second, it is criminal and something should be done, besides making them correct the "mistake". If you steal gas from a station you are a criminal, this is the same as that, only on a larger scale. What are you going to do Mr. AG? As a member of the general public, I expect some action here. "

 Empathy wrote on May 5, 2008 12:35 pm:
" My folks used to own a gas station when I was growing up (this was even before gas prices were ridiculous). We found out that the delivery guy was putting ethanol in both of our tanks when we paid for one tank of ethanol and one tank of regular. We were just lucky the NE weights and measures person caught it. The delivery guy tried to play stupid, but I don't even think he got reprimanded at all! I'm sure there are some gas stations out there that know this is happening and are paying the lower price to put ethanol in both tanks, but some gas stations are probably being cheated themselves by their gas distributors.

Side note: Anyone who thinks that gas stations are making a lot of money off of high gas prices is sorely mistaken. Gas stations only make a few cents per gallon. So when I fill up my 12 gallon tank and pay over $40, the station will only make about 25 cents.
"

 LIncoln too wrote on May 5, 2008 12:52 pm:
" It appeares this story is about stations near No. Platte. Is the LJS implying it's happening here in Lincoln, too? I agree the investigators that uncover gasoline fraud should make available those names/locations so consumers know. We did notice a big difference in automobile performance during a recent trip to Oklahoma/Texas with their regular gas. We blamed it on "watered down gas" due to temperature changes here in Nebraska. Guess we've been receiving the cheaper blend for our regular gasoline when we've filled up. I've just decided NOT TO visit my neighborhood station anymore. Can you tell me which station is legit?? "

 New to Lincoln wrote on May 5, 2008 1:54 pm:
" I have an E-85 vehicle, with E-85 I have to fill up every 12 days at a cost of 55 to 60 dollars at 2.99 per gallon. With 10% ethanol I fill up every 14 days at a cost of 75-80 dollars (as long as the price per gallon hasn't taken a huge jump). E-85 makes my vehicle run better but reduces mileage by about 2 mpg. I would rather give my money to the farmers than to the OPEC nations. "

 d wrote on May 5, 2008 2:31 pm:
" Rhonda, you're wrong, ethanol has a LOT to do with higher food prices. It takes grain to feed cattle, so beef and milk are more expensive, same with chicken and eggs, and there was just a story last week about pork producers going out of business because they can't feed their pigs. Wake up to reality! "

 ok folks wrote on May 5, 2008 3:40 pm:
" Let's look at what it takes to make ethanol. 3 gallons of water to make 1 gallon of ethanol, plus the corn. Therefore, food price are going to rise. Is it better to drink water and eat corn or drive your car. "

 New to Lincoln wrote on May 5, 2008 4:32 pm:
" to d- you need to get your facts straight, the production of ethanol does not take grain out the feed system. After they produce the ethanol from the grain what is left over goes right to cattle feed. The price of oil(diesel) to transport the food is what is adding to the cost. "

 Mr. Concerned wrote on May 5, 2008 4:41 pm:
" I pull up to get gas and see the sign that says "Stealing Gas is against the Law" "Violators Will Be Prosecuted" Well what about stealing from me? Do I need to put that sign on the back of my truck to have a voice around here? I would like to prosecute the stations that violate. How long have this been going on? Are they required to inspections once a week? If they are randomly inspected say one a year, then those nickels and dimes add up fast. It costs me on average $75.00 minimum to fill my tank. Where is the JUSTICE FOR THE PEOPLE? OR IS IT JUST-US paying for the other Man's lifestyle. "

 Oh D wrote on May 5, 2008 6:28 pm:
" You need to look at the inflated costs as a whole, its not just Ethanol - do some research (Ethanol only plays a small part in it!) "

 Matt Poulsen wrote on May 5, 2008 7:36 pm:
" All I know is that if I was accused of stealing gas from a gas station my name would be in the newspaper! Why are they not subject to the same treatment?? The names of the stores should absolutely be published!! This is ridiculous! I'm a pretty level headed guy, but this really infuriates me. "

 TienLee wrote on May 6, 2008 12:55 am:
" To "Lets see"..We don't talk about who's getting richer here.The issue is that people are cheated!Imagine that you are buying purified drinking water for your thirst.The producers didn't distill the water like it should but mixed it with strange chemical substances to make it looks like one, and the taste of it is totally different.My question to you is: How do you feel in this situation?
"

 Ryan wrote on May 6, 2008 9:20 am:
" There is not any new vehicle out there that can not run on ethanol gas. My vehicle gets better gas mileage with ethanol, contrary to what experts say. Reading your vehicle manual just gives you guidelines. Ask any noteable mechanic and they will tell you ethanol is fine for any vehicle other than the high dollar sports cars and those with superchargers. It's better that the farmers in the US get fatter wallets than the Middle Easterners. Until we have a change in president's where there is not an oil person in charge of the country there will not be a change in fuel costs or food costs. With that change, maybe we could get out of Iraq too. If the US government would start buying crops for our use instead of sending it overseas all the time, maybe we could keep the cost down too. It's time we as a country start worrying about us and let the other countries in the world feed the rest of the world. I'm all for helping those in need, but look around, we here are in need too. "

 DE wrote on May 6, 2008 9:33 am:
" Sure the AG will! HA Just like he did in North Platte. I have to give it to him, he really knows how to back pedal. "

 eight wrote on May 6, 2008 9:35 am:
" A quote from Jon Holzfaster, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board.

"For example, anti-ethanol groups regularly point out that it takes three gallons of water to produce one gallon of ethanol."What the critics often fail to do, however, is put that water use in its proper perspective," says Holzfaster, a farmer from Paxton. "They fail to mention that it takes 94 gallons of water to process crude oil into one gallon of gasoline. To produce just one average-sized Sunday newspaper takes 150 gallons of water. To irrigate an acre of a golf course requires more than 680,000 gallons of water each year." "

 pjk wrote on May 6, 2008 10:56 am:
" Name them just list eating establishments. Saw one comment about advertising--so true. The street sign says one price but the pumps say another. You have to look for that one "secret" pump. But people, remember there is about only one supplier in Lincoln for all the stations. The stations will not make it right. I went a got gas a year ago, within a block the car died. The computer on the pump messed up and put diesel in my car. Had proof but did the station do anything--NO but it cost me $540. Do I continue go purchase there--NO. So again, put the names in the press, let the people decide. "

 to eight wrote on May 6, 2008 2:40 pm:
" The three gallons of water per gallon of ethanol is only the refinement process, it doesn't count the thousands of gallons of water run through the irrigation field or the costs of any of the fuel used to plant, run irrigation motors, harvest, or get the crop to the ethanol plant. "

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