Discount gas stations praised by Trump sold $4m of stolen fuel, lawsuit claims

KRSM, a company that supplied fuel to the discount gas stations known as the Freedom Fuel Network, is facing a lawsuit for allegedly stealing nearly $4 million worth of gas. The plaintiff, Mansfield Oil Company, claims that KRSM obtained around 1.1 million gallons of fuel between May 21 and July 7, failing to pay for it. The lawsuit filed on August 19 alleges that KRSM was able to sell the fuel at low prices, resulting in public praise from former President Donald Trump.

Mansfield Oil alleges that KRSM's actions were enabled by never paying the company for the fuel, thus garnering publicity for the Freedom Fuel Network. The White House has denied any contact or dealings with KRSM Inc or its president, Syed Kazmi. KRSM disputes the allegations, claiming it is an accounting dispute over fuel invoices mis-priced by Mansfield Oil.

Mansfield Oil argues that a data error initially prevented it from receiving the necessary invoices until early July, after which it sent revised invoices and demanded payment by July 27. However, KRSM's bank allegedly refused payment drafts on July 27 and 28. The lawsuit contends that KRSM was required to pay within 10 days of receiving an invoice, which was not met.