Gas Pumps Cheated Drivers, Investigation Finds

By: Associated Press

Posted: Tue 3:56 PM, Jul 22, 2008

AUSTIN (AP) - State investigators today said Texas drivers who
recently bought gas at hundreds of Sunmart stations probably were
shortchanged.
A weekend investigation found 990 Sunmart pumps were rigged to
favor the company by as much as one-tenth of a gallon for every
five gallons sold.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples says that he, quote,
"strongly suspects this was an intentional act." Pumps found to
be in violation were immediately shut down by state inspectors.
Sunmart, the operating name for Petroleum Wholesale, didn't
immediately return calls seeking comment.
Staples says his office began investigating Friday, after
noticing a spike in violations. The statewide investigation found
that 990 of Sunmart's 1,704 fuel pumps were found to be cheating
consumers.
Staples says the company could be fined as much as $100,000.

Beaches Can Be Fun – But Also Deadly, Says Texas A&M Expert

We ask that the following Community Standards be followed:

Comments must not be profane or vulgar.

Comments must not use hate speech, racial slurs, or violent descriptions.

We encourage varying views to be shared. We do ask commenters to not personally attack other readers, groups, people featured in our stories, or other posters for disagreeing with their views.

Comments must not contain negative, comparative debates between community standards of cities or towns.

Comments must contribute to the discussion, flaming and/or trolling will not be tolerated.

Comments must be truthful and not intentionally falsified. Providing a source link is encouraged.

If you find that a comment violates the above rules, please use the flagging option located to the right of the comment to notify the moderators.
For a complete list of guidelines, please follow this link:
http://www.kbtx.com/home/misc/Online-Commenting-Policy-181579421.html

Gas Pumps Cheated Drivers, Investigation Finds

AP Video