WISCREPORT- Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager has announced that a Dane County Circuit Court has entered a judgment against Bulk Petroleum Corp., in the Attorney General’s lawsuit against the company for illegally raising the posted prices of gasoline more than once in 24 hours in the days following Hurricane Katrina.

“The judgment enjoins the company from violating the law in the future, requires it implement policies and procedures to ensure no future violations occur and imposes forfeitures and penalties for past violations,” Lautenschlager said.

The Department of Justice initiated seven lawsuits against retailers and other distributors of gasoline in May following an investigation initiated by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. During that time, complaints from Wisconsin consumers concerning high gas prices were reported to the state. The complaints involved numerous violations statewide, some involving price changes made in less than an hour.

Wisconsin law requires that every wholesaler or other entity selling or distributing motor fuel in the state keep posted, in a conspicuous place, the net selling price per gallon of all grades of motor fuel and the amount of all taxes per gallon. Under the law, all prices posted shall remain in effect for at least 24 hours. The law provides up to $200 in forfeitures per violation.

By stipulation of the parties, the court ordered Bulk pay $3,091.08 -- $1,768.08 of which will be allocated to a Milwaukee County first responder’s unit.

The judgment was obtained by the Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection. Assistant Attorney General Nelle Rohlich represented the state.