Pocono News Section

I-Team: Oil Company Owner Speaks About Accusations

I-Team: Oil Company Owner Speaks About Accusations - Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 6:15PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Wednesday, Feb 17, 2010 @ 06:15pm EST
TAMAQUA, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY --The target of an I-Team investigation says he's sorry for leaving some of his heating oil customers in the cold. Earlier this week we told you about the problems one customer has had with STS Discount Oil of Tamaqua. Consumer Investigator Jeff Chirico sat down with the owner who admits he's in over his head.

Since the story aired Monday we've been inundated with calls and emails from customers of STS Discount Oil. All of them are saying, they're having problems getting the oil they pre-bought. We hear from some of them, and for the first time, the man who they say took their money.

“I don't have that kind of income I can lose something like this," says Grace Kupko of Orwigsburg. She’s out more than 12 hundred bucks.

Catherine Nester of Orwigsburg says “it's upsetting when you don't have hot water or heat. Nester ran out of oil twice.

"Whatever he says is a lie, " accuses Karen Gann who took her heating oil company to court. These three women are prepaid customers of STS Discount Oil. They came forward to tell the I-Team the nightmares they've had getting their fuel.
Kopko says “I called. I'd get his answering machine and never returned my call." Gann says “I want him to step up to the plate and be a man. Pay back the money."

They're talking about company owner, Scott Steffy. He agreed to speak with the I-team through his attorney. Attorney Gary Marchalk says “did he intend to deceive anyone? No. He didn't. It was poor financial management. That's what we have to fix going forward." Marchalk blames cash shortages, truck breakdowns and a broken answering machine for Steffy's failure to fulfill about 3 dozen expensive contracts.

But Steffy has been in trouble before. Court records show he's been arrested ten times since 2000 for crimes like writing bad checks and theft by deception. Marchalk says "Do you see why people don't believe what he says or what you're saying? Believe me I do understand. That. Bad checks, theft by deception come from bad financial management."

Marchalk says Steffy is committed to making his prepaid customers full again, including Grace. "We are going to make sure everyone who is owed money is paid in full or oil deliveries resume within the next several weeks.

When asked if he regrets the situation, Steffy responds “do you regret this? Yes, sir, I do. I try to do the best I can."

The I-Team has learned some distributors won't sell oil to him because he owes them money.

If you're an STS customer and having trouble getting a hold of someone, Attorney Marchalk asks that you call his office at 570-668-5321.

You can also file an official complaint with the Attorney General's office. .

And as always, we want to know. You can contact me: jchirico@pahomepage. com.