Peterson Oil of Worcester to pay $450K fine in fraudulent heating oil switch
The company had fuel-supply contracts with the state.
In some cases, the noncompliant fuel created mechanical problems with heating systems at agencies serviced by Peterson Oil, according to the office of Attorney General Maura Healey.
Peterson Oil did not meet conditions of state contracts, a violation of the Massachusetts False Claims Act.
The attorney general's office announced Wednesday that it had resolved its claim against Peterson Oil, filed in Suffolk Superior Court.
“Cities and towns relied on Peterson Oil to deliver heating fuel in accordance with its contract so they could stay warm, but they instead received noncompliant fuel that caused problems for many heating systems,” Healey said in a statement Wednesday.