An attempt by four gas wholesalers to quash a class-action lawsuit against them has failed.
The companies — R.L. Vallee, SB Collins, Wesco Oil and Champlain Oil — are being sued by plaintiffs who allege they colluded to set retail gas prices in northwestern Vermont, where the cost of filling up is often higher than in other parts of the state.
In this week’s Seven Days, Mark Davis reported that the defendants had asked the Chittenden Superior Court to throw out the case, but Judge Helen Toor denied the request. The companies then sought to appeal to the state’s highest court. On Wednesday, the Vermont Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal, allowing the case to move forward.
It’s far from the last legal hurdle the plaintiffs will encounter. As Davis reported, the Charleston, W. Va.-based firm Bailey & Glasser, which is representing the six residents who brought the case, has issued subpoenas seeking evidence. In response, the defendants have asked Toor to quash the subpoenas.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
Excellent. One for the plaintiffs. Keep it up.
Excellent caricature of Skip Vallee by Mr Tonn . The term evil incarnate seems appropriate .
So it’s bad for a company to raise the price of gas. Which it is but it’s ok for the state to do it with the carbon tax? I see a double standard here. If the people win the lawsuit it opens the ability to sue the state.i hope.
You do know what this means,,they will surely be pasting on to customers their fees for the lawyers….We as customers can’t get a break in Vt especially in northwestern Vermont..Other parts of Vermont , people are paying less..$1,99 a gal in some places..compare to $2.29 in some other places..GREED IS NASTY.. We know were the GREED is..Come on Costco build those pumps.. St Albans Walmart needs to fight to get pumps up there..and make it a Super Walmart.to boot…They have a big enough area and give these greedy 4 some competition…