One such independent distributor in Eastern Washington was Ed Glenn Distributor, Inc. ("EGD"). EGD was an independent distributor for both ExxonMobil and BP gas. Plaintiffs alleged that EGD misbranded gas by delivering BP gas to Exxon branded stations and visa versa, and by delivering low octane gas to high octane pumps. A disgruntled former truck driver for EGD reported this "misbranding" in March 1999. ExxonMobil investigated the allegations, found them to merit attention, and immediately attempted to terminate EGD's distributorship.