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Rich on the Road

by RichardRay from Dallas, TX

Last Post 23 hours Ago


Cheated at the Pump
Jul 22, 2008 | 4:27 PM
Category: News
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The Texas Department of Agriculture -- specifically Commissioner Todd Staples -- is going after a gasoline retailer that operates under the name Sunmart with verbal guns blazing, threatening civil and criminal penalties because the company allegedly has been shorting Texans at the pump. 

"Despicable violations such as these  are repulsive and must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Staples said during an Austin news conference.

Staples announced results of a three-day inspection blitz that started last Friday of all 86 Sunmart stations.  TDA found well over half the pumps cheating consumers.  Sunmart stations in Palmer, Royse City and Joshua were among those that had at least 60% of their pumps short-changing on gasoline -- up to a tenth of a gallon on every five gallons sold.

Sunmart could be fined up to $100,000 dollars for the violations but Staples called that "woefully inadequate to cover how much they have shortchanged Texas families and and Texas businesses."

The Texas Attorney General has launched an investigation that could result in civil and criminal penalties.  At this writing, Sunmart and parent company Petroleum Wholesale, L.P. have declined all comment.

The story will lead the newscast at 6pm.  We made a visit to the stations in Palmer and Royse City and were, politely, thrown off the premises.  Always entertaining TV.   Hope you can catch it.

Rich

 

  

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Member Comments Total Comments: 13
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babysister138 read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 4:44 PM

someone needs to check the gas station up on Galloway near Ranger that seems to be way under price of everyone else and asks for cah only. I stopped there once and noticed the pump jump the minute i turned it on
furbie read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 4:46 PM

Nothing says we're guilty like throwing the media off the premises !

Bad thing is, it's the people that get cheated, and the state that gets to profit !
RichardRay read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 5:17 PM

Babysister
If you think they're cheating sic the Texas Department of Agriculture on them. They don't have enough inspectors but they will respond to complaints.
Rich
Freedomsoldier read my blog
Jul 22, 2008 | 5:20 PM

I tell you what I be one that will not miss that for anything. One thing is them people throwing you guys off the premises means only one thing that there are a lot people out that want answers. They know that you guys. The news media only will get real true out and they're gotten scare. Good deal people get in there an expose them crooks and televise them as the crooks that they are.
Marks read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 6:50 PM

Hi Rich,

I was impressed with you. Once the manager invoked private property you left (just remembering some more aggressive reporting over the years). Kudos. Besides, I tend to doubt you would obtain more than "no comment" no matter how you asked the question. :)

Anyway, I would be interested to find out how this company introduced such widespread inaccuracy with the pumps and in the seller's favor (hard to believe it is random tinkering by store management - somebody had to have influenced it). Keep us informed.
UCantHandleThisTruth read my blog
Jul 22, 2008 | 7:30 PM

Commie pinko scumballs
and I dont even know what you are talking about
Marks read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 7:46 PM

CLARIFICATION:

I've never seen you be overly aggressive, Rich. My point was that you comport yourself the way I wish all reporters would. Have a great night!
RichardRay read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 8:46 PM

Thanks Marks
I just try to do my job, and not take it personally. It's only fair to give people a chance to respond to the allegations so you have to go ask. I expect to get thrown off the property in stories like these by people who are probably just doing their job (what the people at headquarters tell them to do) and in both cases today they were reasonably nice about it. That's not always the case.
Rich
ProudAmerican read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 5:56 AM

When company's get fined for ripping off the public like this, who gets the money?
furbie read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 9:57 AM

Rich, I can't believe that Fox 4 hasn't canned you, or another news station stolen you away by now !

You're the best news reporter on the air. You're more professional than any that I've found on any channel.

I really enjoy all your reports, and usually when I find someone I truely enjoy watching, they get transferred or stolen away by another network !

Keep up the good work - you're number one in my family's book !
RichardRay read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 10:18 AM

furbie,
You've made my day. :)
Rich
Marks read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 9:35 PM

Furbie is right, Rich. Kudos on your professionalism!

That does not mean I can't critique ya in the negative sometime in the future... :)
RichardRay read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 10:10 PM

Marks,
I would expect no less.
Rich
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RichardRay

RICH ON THE ROAD I am blessed with a truly remarkable job that for decades now has permitted me to see corners of the world, far and near. When I'm not on the road for Fox4 News in Dallas/Fort Worth, I'm often traveling with my wife Catherine -- occasionally on mission trips in Africa or Latin America with our home church (Prince of Peace Lutheran in Carrollton). My contribution to this page began largely as a Travel-blog -- sharing current and many of my past experiences in traveling America and the globe. I'm tryng, as we go along, to wade into a wider range of topics without getting in too much trouble. Richard Ray

Member Since: 5/29/2006


 

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