California gasoline class action settlement

Three gasoline companies agreed to pay $50 million in a California gasoline settlement for residents resolving claims they conspired to raise gas prices.

They also agreed to a $13.9 million nonresident settlement.

The settlement benefits California residents who purchased gasoline at a retail location in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo or Imperial counties in California between Feb. 20, 2015, and Nov. 10, 2015.

It also benefits nonresidents who bought gasoline on behalf of a business or as an out-of-state visitor in California between Feb. 18, 2015, and May 31, 2017.

According to the California attorney general, Vitol, SK Energy Americas and SK Trading International conspired to raise and fix the price of gasoline at retail locations. This conspiracy allegedly violated California’s Cartwright Act and Unfair Competition Law.

Vitol is an energy and commodities company. SK Energy Americas and SK Trading International are two related companies that provide energy and trading services.

The defendants have not admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay a total of $50 million to residents to resolve the antitrust class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the settlement, $37.5 million of the fund will be used for Cartwright Act competition and the remaining $12.5 million will be used as a penalty paid to California regulators under the Unfair Competition Law.

Resident class members can receive an equal share of the $37.5 million fund. Payments will not vary depending on the amount spent on gasoline. No payment estimates are available at this time.

Nonresident class members can receive an equal share of a separate $13.9M settlement fund.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Jan. 8, 2025.

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled Feb. 28, 2025.

To receive California gasoline settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Jan. 8, 2025.

Who’s Eligible

California residents who purchased gasoline at a retail location in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo or Imperial counties in California between Feb. 20, 2015, and Nov. 10, 2015.

Also nonresidents who bought gasoline on behalf of a business or as an out-of-state visitor in California between February 18, 2015, and May 31, 2017.

Potential Award

TBD

Proof of Purchase

Driver’s License/ID number

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

01/08/2025

Case Name

Residents: The People of the State of California v. Vitol Inc. et al., Case No. CGC-20-584456, in the California Superior Court for San Francisco County

Nonresidents: In re: California Gasoline Spot Market Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 3:20-cv-03131-JSC, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California

Final Hearing

02/28/2025

Claims Administrator

California v. Vitol Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 301177
Los Angeles, CA 90030-1177
[email protected]
877-725-7523

Class Counsel

Rob Bonta
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CALIFORNIA

Paula L Blizzard
SENIOR ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL

Michael Jorgenson
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL SUPERVISOR

Ryan J Mccauley
Paul H Lazarow
Eric J Chang
Lauren J Pomeroy
DEPUTY ATTORNEYS GENERAL

Defense Counsel

Alex Kaplan
SUSMAN GODFREY LLP

Jeffery M Davidson
COVINGTON & BURLING LLP