SoCal drivers to get reimbursed for 2015 gasoline purchases

Southern California drivers who bought gasoline in 2015 can file a claim for a reimbursement resulting from class action lawsuits, state Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Wednesday.

California residents who purchased gas in 10 counties between Feb. 20 and Nov. 10, 2015, can file a claim for a payment under the state’s settlement with gas trading firms for tampering with and manipulating prices for California gasoline, according to Bonta’s office.

Motorists who purchased gasoline in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Imperial counties may be eligible for a payment.

Claims must be submitted by Jan. 8.

“Market manipulation and price gouging are illegal and unacceptable, particularly during times of crisis when people are most vulnerable,” Bonta said in a statement. “I am proud to deliver money back to Californians who were victims of gas price manipulation. As the People’s Attorney, I am committed to combating corporate greed and ensuring justice for the people of California.”

In July, Bonta announced a $50 million settlement of a federal lawsuit that alleged Vitol Inc. and SK Energy Americas Inc., along with parent company SK Trading International, secretly colluded to manipulate market prices for California gasoline. Consumers’ share of the settlement is $37.5 million.

The companies did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement and have not released public statements about the litigation.

The attorney general’s settlement is in addition to a private class action lawsuit filed in federal court.

The private class action settlement totaled $13.93 million and is for people who at the time of purchase were not California residents and businesses regardless of location. Eligible members of this class made gas purchases in the state from a retailer for their own use and not for resale between Feb. 18, 2015, and May 31, 2017, according Verita Global, which is administering claims.

“Payments will depend on which settlement a claimant is eligible for and may vary in part based on how much each claimant spent on gasoline during the relevant time period,” according to a statement from Vertita Global. “How much each claimant will receive is unknown at this time and will depend on how many claims are submitted.”

Online claim forms are at CalGasLitigation.com.