Drivers who purchased gas in Southern California several years ago may be entitled to a portion of a cash settlement, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Wednesday. Bonta said drivers who purchased gas between Feb. 20, 2015, through Nov. 10, 2015, can submit a claim for payment under a state settlement with gas trading firms for "tampering with and manipulating prices for California gasoline." The terms of the settlement were announced by the California Department of Justice this past July. Trading firms Vitol Inc. and SK Energy Americas Inc. and SK's parent company agreed to pay $50 million to settle an antitrust lawsuit that accused the companies of colluding to "manipulate spot market prices" on gas sold in the state. A motorist finishes pumping gasoline at an Arco gas station, Monday, June 10, 2024, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun) The gas was sold during mid-2015 in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Imperial counties. Of the $50 million the companies agreed to pay, $37.5 million will be divided among affected consumers and administered as compensation. As terms of the settlement, the companies did not admit to breaking any laws. Eligible drivers can submit a claim online. Claims must be submitted by Jan. 8, 2025. “Market manipulation and price gouging are illegal and unacceptable, particularly during times of crisis when people are most vulnerable,” Bonta said in a news release issued Wednesday. “I am proud to deliver money back to Californians who were victims of gas price manipulation." Bonta continued to say that he's committed to "combating corporate greed and ensuring justice for the people of California.” Officials say this particular settlement is in addition to another private class action lawsuit filed in federal court. That antitrust lawsuit involves non-residents of California and/or businesses who purchased gas between Feb. 18, 2015, and May 31, 2017. For information regarding that settlement, click here.