Gasoline co. sues over gouging claims

Bridgeport (AP) - A Connecticut gasoline supplier is suing the head of an industry group who told a gas station owner that the supplier was overcharging him.

Bridgeport-based Standard Petroleum Co. is asking a state judge to prohibit Michael Fox from communicating with the owner of the Derby gas station about the overcharging allegations.

Fox is president of the Gasoline & Automotive Service Dealers of America.

The lawsuit in Bridgeport Superior Court names Fox and his consulting business, but not the Stamford-based service dealers' group. Standard Petroleum accuses Fox of interfering with its business.

Fox says the station owner called him about joining a federal class-action lawsuit accusing Standard Petroleum of overcharging federal taxes to station owners. Fox's lawyer says the lawsuit against him is baseless.

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Information from: The Advocate