Van Hollen Announces Civil Action Against John Rassbach in St. Croix County

GLENWOOD CITY - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a civil consumer protection enforcement action against John Rassbach of Glenwood City, Wisconsin, alleging numerous instances of fraudulent billing of customers of his fuel products business (Rassbach Oil Company).  The civil action, filed in St. Croix County, accompanies a criminal case the Department of Justice filed on November 2, 2009, charging Mr. Rassbach with 14 counts of theft or attempted theft in connection with his alleged overbilling.

The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Rassbach defrauded customers in a variety of ways: (1) by physically "shorting" customers by pumping a portion of the fuel back into his delivery truck; (2) by falsifying propane delivery invoices to overstate the amount of propane delivered; and (3) by issuing duplicate fuel delivery tickets to multiple customers for a single fuel delivery.

The civil action seeks restitution for all consumers whom Mr. Rassbach overbilled, as well as forfeitures and other sanctions.  The violations alleged subject Mr. Rassbach to potential forfeitures of up to $10,000 for each violation.

Consumers who believe they were defrauded by Mr. Rassbach, and who have not already filed a complaint, can obtain a complaint form by calling the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) at 1-800-422-7128. 

The case was the result of an investigation conducted by agents of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Division of Weights and Measures.  Assistant Attorney General John Greene represents the state in this case.