OCEAN COUNTY – A gas station owner has agreed to pay $17,500 to resolve alleged consumer protection violations uncovered at three Ocean County stations, officials said.
The Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs announced the settlement and consent agreement with station owner Rajinder Chandi following a joint investigation by the county’s Division of Weights & Measures and Office of Consumer Protection.
Officials said investigators identified multiple violations involving gas pump pricing and other state requirements, along with what the county described as a pattern of deceptive business practices.
Ocean County Consumer Affairs Director Ronald Heinzman said the investigation began after the New Jersey Office of Weights and Measures alerted county officials to complaints involving two gas stations along Route 37 in Toms River. Lakehurst police later brought a separate complaint involving another station to the county’s attention.
The locations identified by county officials are Delta at 245 Route 37 in Toms River; Delta/G&R LLC at 200 Route 37 in Lakehurst; and Sunoco at 644 Route 37 West in Toms River.
“Our Department of Consumer Affairs is committed to protecting Ocean County residents and visitors from deceptive business practices, including at the gas pump,” Ocean County Commissioner Robert Arace said. “This settlement sends a clear message that consumers deserve to know they are being charged the price they see at the pump.”
Arace said the county’s Consumer Affairs staff works to make sure customers receive what they pay for and that businesses comply with state regulations.
The agreement was reached through mediation involving Chandi, his attorney and the county and resolves municipal court complaints pending in Toms River and Lakehurst, officials said.
In addition to paying the $17,500 penalty, Chandi must ensure that digital displays on gas pumps accurately reflect the per-gallon price charged to customers. Any future repairs to the pumps must be completed by vendors certified by the state, and records of those repairs must be submitted to the county within 10 days.
Chandi must also attend a verification meeting to demonstrate that outstanding violations have been corrected and comply with applicable state consumer protection and fuel-measurement laws going forward.
The county said Deputy Superintendent Brian Decasse, Assistant Superintendent Cody Wilber and Office of Consumer Protection Investigator Thomas Camporealle handled the case. Laura Comer, prosecutor for the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs, provided legal oversight.
“The department remains dedicated to ensuring local businesses comply fully with New Jersey consumer protection and weights and measures statutes,” Heinzman said.
