Attorney General Jon Bruning

News Release

                                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      Contact: Holley Hatt

                                 October 12, 2007, 1:30pm CDT                                                 402.471.2067

Bruning Announces Agreement

 North Platte BP Station to Change Advertising Practices

(Lincoln, NE) Attorney General Jon Bruning today announced Wagner-Mentzer LLC will change its advertising practices and pay $20,000 to resolve allegations that it deceptively advertised gasoline to consumers at its BP gas stations, particularly in North Platte. Wagner Oil Company President Roy Wagner and Mentzer Oil Company President Donald Mentzer, both of North Platte, own Wagner-Mentzer.

The Attorney General’s office received complaints that consumers, confused by the advertising, had pumped higher-priced gas into their vehicles when they were expecting the electronically advertised price.

“The change in signing will direct consumers to the pump that has the electronically advertised price,” Bruning said. “This clear signage should prevent consumers from unknowingly pumping expensive gas into their cars.”

Under the agreement, Wagner-Mentzer and its owners agreed to change potentially deceptive advertising at its gas stations in Nebraska. When its cheapest gas can only be made available on a limited number of pumps, the company will advertise the price and location of its cheapest gas simultaneously on its electronic sign. Both price and location will be displayed for equal time and in equal size, font and wattage. The pumps dispensing the cheapest fuel will be conspicuously marked. Clear signage at each pump will also direct consumers to the pumps offering the lowest-priced gasoline.

Wagner-Mentzer will also make a $20,000 charitable donation to the community of North Platte.

Assistant Attorneys General Leslie Levy and Tom Stine handled the agreement.

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An audio clip about the agreement is posted on the Attorney General’s Web site at www.ago.state.ne.us.