Attorney General's News Release

July 19, 2005

AG Nixon asks Missouri Department of Agriculture to order local gas station owner to meet fire safety standards

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon is asking the director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture to order the owner of several gas stations in the Jefferson City area to pay nearly $39,000 in penalties and correct several violations of minimum federal fire safety standards.

According to the complaint filed with the Department of Agriculture, Leonard J. Loethen, the owner of Loethen Oil Company Inc., received numerous notices of violation during inspections by the department's Division of Weights and Measures between February and May 2005. The notices ordered Loethen to correct the violations by installing overfill alarms and explosion-proof conduit for wires, by conducting line-tightness tests and by ensuring adequate ventilation on tanks, among other things.

Loethen, who has been operating gas stations in mid-Missouri since the 1970s, ignored all of the notices, according to the complaint.

"Fire safety standards at gas stations help protect customers and employees, and the public as a whole," Nixon said. "Rather than complying with these standards, Mr. Loethen is allowing a health and safety threat to continue. Seeking a cease and desist order and penalties is the next step to getting his attention and to get these problems fixed right away."

Department of Agriculture inspectors issued notices of violation to the following stations near Jefferson City: Apache Flats Tire and Service Center and Loethen Oil Company, both located on Business Highway 50; and Zip Stop, located on Highway CC. Inspectors also cited the Loethen-owned Sweet Springs Amoco Truckstop, located along Interstate 70 in Sweet Springs, Mo.; Rockport Truck Plaza, located on Highway 136 in Rockport, Mo.; and Zip Stop, located in Sarcoxie, Mo.

Under state law, the Department of Agriculture has the authority to enforce minimum fire safety requirements for business that sell and distribute fuel.

Nixon's complaint asks the director of the Department of Agriculture, Fred Ferrell, to issue a cease and desist order against Loethen and impose penalties of approximately $38,900 for violations of the standards.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818