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The California Attorney General has settled a lawsuit concerning high gas prices in 2015-2016 in California. You may be entitled to compensation. Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Francisco - Visit www.CalGasLitigation.com to learn more.
The Attorney General of California sued three multinational gas trading firms in May 2020 for alleged violations of the
State’s antitrust and unfair competition laws. The name of the case is The People of the State of California v. Vitol Inc., et al., Case No. CGC-20-584456 (S.F. Super. Ct.). A settlement has been reached with Vitol Inc., SK Energy Americas, Inc. and SK Trading International Co. Ltd. (collectively, “Defendants”).
WHAT IS THIS LAWSUIT ABOUT? The Attorney General alleged that Defendants manipulated gasoline prices in California in violation of state antitrust and unfair competition laws. Defendants deny all wrongdoing. The Court has not decided who is right. Defendants have agreed to pay $50 million into two settlement funds. $37.5 million will be paid to consumers, after deductions for taxes, administration costs, and attorneys’ fees and costs. $12.5 million will be used to enforce consumer protection laws.
WHO IS INCLUDED? If you are a natural person living in California, your rights are affected by this settlement. The settlement does not affect or recover for corporations, businesses or partnerships, or for visitors to California, but you may be entitled to compensation through a different settlement.
If you purchased gasoline in Southern California (Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, or Imperial counties) between February 20 and November 10, 2015, you may receive a payment.
WHAT ARE MY LEGAL RIGHTS?
Submit a Claim Form. To receive a payment, you must submit a Claim Form online or postmarked by January 8, 2025. Exclude Yourself. If you want to maintain the ability to bring a separate legal claim, you must exclude yourself from the settlement and receive no payment. To exclude yourself, you must mail or electronically submit an exclusion letter by January 8, 2025. This is the only option that ensures this settlement will not limit your rights in another lawsuit.
Make a Statement. If you are affected by the settlement (and you do not exclude yourself), you may make a statement for the Court’s consideration in deciding whether to approve the settlement. You must mail your statement, postmarked no later than January 8, 2025, to the Settlement Administrator.
Do Nothing. If you do nothing, you will not receive a payment and will give up your rights.
HOW WILL THE LAWYERS BE PAID? The Attorney General will seek reimbursement of attorneys’ fees and costs up to 25% of the $37,500,000 allocated to consumers. Half of the $12,500,000 will be used by the Attorney General for future enforcement of consumer protection laws by the Antitrust Section of the California Department of Justice.
FINAL APPROVAL HEARING. The Court will hold a hearing on February 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., to consider whether the settlement should be approved. If there are objections, the Court may consider them. You may appear at and speak at the hearing without providing any notice.
WANT MORE INFORMATION? Visit www.CalGasLitigation.com, call 1-877-725-7523, or write to California v. Vitol Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 301177, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1177.
