A chain of gas stations that received praise from former President Donald Trump for its low prices is now facing accusations of selling stolen fuel. A federal lawsuit filed by petroleum distributor Mansfield Energy alleges that New Jersey-based KRSM supplied gas to the Freedom Fuel Network that was never paid for, amounting to over 1.1 million gallons and approximately $4 million in value.
The lawsuit claims that KRSM provided the fuel to the Freedom Fuel Network at significantly reduced prices to garner media attention, and was able to do so because it had not paid Mansfield Energy for the fuel. The Freedom Fuel Network is a retailer associated with Randy Brown, a coach for the Baltimore Ravens and a self-proclaimed Trump supporter.
KRSM and its president, Syed Kazmi, have denied the allegations, characterizing the dispute as an "accounting dispute over fuel invoices mis-priced" by Mansfield Oil. A White House spokesperson told The New York Times that the administration had "zero contact or dealings" with KRSM.
The stations under the Freedom Fuel Network moniker have been prominently featured in recent months. Trump himself praised the network on social media, calling the stations a "VERY smart retailer" for lowering prices and asserting they were doing so "because they love the U.S.A."
The White House also promoted the chain on social media, highlighting a station in Dresher, Pennsylvania, that advertised prices of $3.47 a gallon. This promotion led to speculation from critics that the stations were receiving subsidies or other financial support from the federal government to maintain their low prices.
A White House spokesperson previously told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the chain was simply a private company working to make gasoline more affordable. Kazmi and his brother, Shamikh Kazmi, are reportedly linked to eight of the 29 stations currently operating under the Freedom Fuel Network brand in the Philadelphia area. Both brothers have been involved in previous legal cases concerning alleged financial misconduct, according to Politico.