Davenport gas station owner charged with swapping grades of gas

The owner of a Davenport gas station faces legal action from the state for allegedly selling cheap gas at mid-grade and premium prices. Bob Brammer, a spokesman for the Iowa Attorney General, says tests by the Agriculture Department confirmed suspicions that things weren’t right. He says the Ag Department checked after getting a tip from a tanker truck driver that he was delivering low-grade gas and putting it in the premium tanks. A national gas survey shows the cost of mid-grade gasoline averages eight cents more a gallon than low-grade, and premium gas averages 17 cents more a gallon. Brammer says the state has filed suit against Ranbir Thakur of Davenport, who owns the Citgo station where the gas was switched. He says this is a “garden variety” consumer fraud case where they allege unfair, fraudulent and deceptive practices. Brammer says Iowa law allows up to a 40-thousand dollar fine for those found to have violated the act. Brammer says this is a rare case.He says the Ag Department checks the accuracy of the pumps and the grades of gas, and says the Attorney General’s office hasn’t had many referrals for problems, and says this is “pretty unusual.” A spokesperson in the Ag Department says they randomly check gas pumps at each establishment one a year.