N.J. gas stations sued for selling aviation fuel as regular gasoline

NEWARK, N.J. An attorney representing six New Jersey gas stations accused of selling aviation fuel as regular gas denies the stations were aware of the switch.

Glen Vida says the stations' parent company, Pasmel Property, bought the fuel from distributor Zephyr Oil. Vida says delivery tickets indicated the stations were receiving premium fuel, which they ordered, and denies the stations knew they were selling the wrong fuel.

An attorney for Zephyr Oil declined to comment Tuesday, the day state Consumer Affairs officials filed a lawsuit.

Authorities say a probe by the Office of Weights and Measures found the stations briefly sold the aviation fuel as ordinary motor gasoline late last year. The lawsuit also names Pasmel Property and Zephyr Oil.

Officials say the sales were discovered after an employee of the terminal where the fuel was being held in Bayonne learned from a transportation driver that aviation fuel was being delivered to the gas stations, CBS New York reported.

The aviation fuel contained toxic lead that could damage the vehicles, but it doesn't appear any cars were affected, the station reported.

The stations are in North Plainfield, Trenton, Manasquan, Lawrenceville and Scotch Plains.