Global Partners Files Action to Force MassDOT to Comply with Public Records Law Amid $1.5 Billion Lease Controversy

Waltham, Mass. (August 11, 2025) – Global Partners, a leading independent liquid energy supplier and retail operator based in Massachusetts, filed a lawsuit against the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) in Suffolk Superior Court, accusing the agency of willfully violating the Massachusetts Public Records Law by failing to timely provide key documents tied to the controversial award of a 35-year service plaza lease to Applegreen, a foreign-owned company backed by Blackstone Infrastructure Partners. Despite submitting four formal and narrowly tailored records requests since June, Global alleges that MassDOT has failed to produce crucial communications, evaluations, and internal records within the time frames required by state law, even as the agency proceeds with final lease negotiations with Applegreen behind closed doors, aiming to sign the 35-year agreement by early November.

“This is a blatant attempt to run out the clock on transparency,” said Eric Slifka, President and CEO of Global Partners. “MassDOT is stonewalling the public’s right to know while rushing to lock in a decades-long deal that could cost taxpayers nearly $1 billion in lost guaranteed revenue.”

The lawsuit details MassDOT’s failure to comply with multiple requests for records, including:

• Communications between Selection Committee Chair Scott Bosworth and Applegreen, Blackstone, and Suffolk Construction
• Conflicts of interest disclosures and recusals
• Text messages, emails and other communications between MassDOT selection committee members and MassDOT Board members regarding KPMG’s review of the revenue aspects of the competing proposals

According to the complaint, Global was alerted to potential conflicts of interest and irregularities in the lease award following a June 18 MassDOT board meeting. Among the most serious allegations:

• Bosworth allegedly sought employment with Blackstone prior to the RFP process
• The RFP was amended five times post-issuance; changes that favored private equity-backed bidders like Applegreen
• Global was notified it was not selected by the selection committee an hour before that committee presented their recommendation to the Capital Projects Committee for approval
• Bosworth failed to disclose Applegreen’s poor performance on a $450 million New York project while promoting their qualifications to the board

“MassDOT’s conduct threatens the integrity of the entire procurement process,” said Sean Geary, Chief Legal Officer of Global Partners. “The agency has failed to timely comply with the law, ignored red flags throughout the process, and kept the public in the dark as it speeds toward a signing deadline.”

The suit seeks a court order compelling MassDOT to immediately release all responsive public records. It also requests injunctive relief to prevent further concealment.

MassDOT has acknowledged some document production, but only after pressure from third parties, including media outlets. Other key materials, including internal deliberations and conflict disclosures, remain entirely unproduced or unjustifiably withheld.

“This isn’t just a fight about one contract,” added Slifka. “This is about public trust, proper governance, and making sure decisions of this magnitude aren’t buried in secrecy.”

The legal action follows a growing chorus of scrutiny surrounding the Applegreen deal, including a pending ethics complaint against Bosworth, legislative concerns, and public rallies. Lawmakers and community leaders are calling for oversight hearings and an independent investigation into the award process.

About Global Partners LP:
Building on a legacy that began more than 90 years ago, Global Partners has evolved into a Fortune 500 company and industry-leading integrated owner, supplier, and operator of liquid energy terminals, fueling locations, and guest-focused retail experiences. Global operates or maintains dedicated storage at 54 liquid energy terminals—with connectivity to strategic rail, pipeline, and marine assets—spanning from Maine to Florida and into the U.S. Gulf States. Through this extensive network, the company distributes gasoline, distillates, residual oil, and renewable fuels to wholesalers, retailers, and commercial customers. In addition, Global owns, operates and/or supplies approximately 1,700 retail locations across the Northeast states, the Mid-Atlantic, and Texas, providing the fuels people need to keep them on the go at their unique guest-focused convenience destinations. Recognized as one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies, Global Partners is embracing progress and diversifying to meet the needs of the energy transition.

Global, a master limited partnership, trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “GLP.” For additional information, visit www.globalp.com.

Media Contact:
Reid Lamberty, Senior Communications Advisor
[email protected]
516-305-1210