Energy giants are preparing to pay $50 million to settle allegations that they conspired to fix the price of gas.
Vitol, SK Energy Americas and its parent company SK Trading International are accused of working together to raise the price of gas in violation of California’s Cartwright Act and Unfair Competition Law.
Without admitting wrongdoing, the trio have agreed to settle a lawsuit from California’s Attorney General and a class action lawsuit simultaneously.
The outcome will send approximately $37.5 million to class members.
People who bought gas between February 20th, 2015 and November 10th, 2015 in several Southern California counties are eligible to submit a claim.
The deadline to submit a claim is January 8th, and claims can be filed at vlc.calgaslitigation.com.
The California Attorney General filed its lawsuit against the gas companies back in 2020, accusing them of conspiring to fix prices in the wake of a refinery explosion in Torrance in 2015.
The companies allegedly manipulated the spot market to raise gas prices illegally, profiting at the expense of California consumers.
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