The Freedom Fuel Network, endorsed by President Donald Trump, has opened a new location in Detroit, offering gas at significantly lower prices than the state average. This expansion occurs amidst a lawsuit where fuel supplier Mansfield Oil Co. accuses businessman Syed Kazmi and his company KRSM of owing $4 million for fuel allegedly supplied to Freedom Fuel stations.
Concerns have arisen over a potentially underfunded bank account required by a court order, with allegations that the account may now be controlled by a different entity, sparking a call for further legal investigation into fund movement.
The Freedom Fuel Network, a gas station chain that gained prominence with steep discounts endorsed by President Donald Trump, has expanded its operations to Detroit. This expansion comes as a significant legal dispute involving allegations of unpaid fuel supply escalates in Philadelphia federal court.
Customers pump gas at a Freedom Fuel Network station in Dresher, Pennsylvania, July 8, 2026. (Joe Lamberti | Getty Images)
The new Detroit location, offering regular unleaded at $3.47 per gallon, positions Freedom Fuel as having the cheapest gas in Michigan, where the state average is $4.09, according to GasBuddy. This marks the first Freedom Fuel station outside of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, states where the network currently operates 29 locations.
However, the chain's growth is shadowed by a lawsuit filed by Mansfield Oil Co., a Georgia-based fuel supplier. Mansfield Oil alleges that businessman Syed Kazmi and his company, KRSM, owe approximately $4 million for fuel, some of which was allegedly supplied to Freedom Fuel stations. The supplier claims KRSM is violating a court order requiring a minimum balance of $2.75 million in an M&T Bank checking account. Court filings indicate that the account, initially represented as belonging to KRSM, may now be controlled by a different Kazmi-related entity named 'Universal,' raising concerns about fund dissipation.
Mansfield Oil has requested the court to enforce its order and allow limited discovery to trace the alleged whereabouts of the funds. A federal judge has ordered the parties to confer and present a proposed discovery schedule by September 11. KRSM disputes the allegations, characterizing the dispute as an accounting issue over mis-priced fuel invoices and has announced plans to appeal a previous court order.
Freedom Fuel, while not a direct defendant in the lawsuit, has faced scrutiny regarding its ability to offer such low prices, especially given supply constraints and rising fuel costs. Politico has reported that Shamikh Kazmi, Syed Kazmi's brother, owns at least six Freedom Fuel locations in New Jersey. The Freedom Fuel Network has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the ongoing legal issues.
The company's website highlights its recent expansion, stating, "Due to the massive success of the network and the savings communities are seeing at the pump, we heard you — and we're expanding further." The site also notes the significant media interest following President Trump's endorsement, asserting, "Despite the misinformation and baseless speculation circulating, let us set the record straight: Freedom Fuel Network is proudly lowering its prices to benefit our community and strengthen our local economy. Just like the President, we remain committed to putting America First! God bless the U.S.A."
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