Global Partners Requests Court Order to Block MassDOT–Applegreen Lease Following Evidence of Improper Conduct

Injunction request details undisclosed conflicts of interest, and violations of procurement and ethics rules that shortchange Massachusetts taxpayers by nearly $1 billion

Waltham, Mass. (September 15, 2025) - Global Partners LP announced today that it has filed a lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court seeking a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and Preliminary Injunction to stop the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) from executing its controversial 35-year lease with Applegreen to redevelop and operate 18 state highway service plazas. The motion argues that the procurement was fatally compromised by illicit communications, undisclosed conflicts of interest, and violations of Massachusetts procurement and ethics laws.

The filing details a deeply compromised procurement process, including:

• Improper and prohibited communications: Newly released public records show that Scott Bosworth, Chair of the MassDOT Selection Committee, participated in more than 185 communications, including private calls, texts, and personal messages with Kurt Summers, Senior Managing Director at Blackstone and an Applegreen Board Member; John Fish, Chief Executive Officer of Suffolk Construction; Patrick Brophy, Senior Director of External Affairs at Suffolk; Patrick Lucey, Suffolk's General Manager for the Northeast; and Carlo Basile, Applegreen's registered lobbyist, in apparent violation of the Rules of Contact for the RFP.
• Conflicts of interest and ethics violations: Bosworth accepted personal favors and maintained undisclosed personal relationships with members of Applegreen's bid team, in violation of state ethics law (M.G.L. c. 268A) and MassDOT's own RFP rules, which required the disclosure of any real or apparent conflicts of interest, including personal.

"These violations are not abstract," said Sean T. Geary, Chief Legal Officer of Global Partners LP. "Text messages confirm that Applegreen's board member, Suffolk executives, and Applegreen's lobbyist had a direct line to the Chair of the Selection Committee during every critical moment of the process. That alone should disqualify them under MassDOT's own rules." The records show Bosworth offering encouragement to Summers on the very day MassDOT issued critical financial clarifications, signaling approval to Suffolk executives just before the Capital Programs Committee met, and texting Lucey immediately after the Board vote: "Got it done." Bosworth later told Summers: "Your team did a good job today. Now the work begins ."

Despite Global's bid offering nearly $900 million more in guaranteed rent for the Commonwealth and validated by MassDOT's own consultant as meeting revenue goals, the Selection Committee led by Bosworth downplayed Global's proposal and steered the award to Applegreen.

"MassDOT ignored its own rules, its own experts, and nearly a billion dollars in additional guaranteed value for taxpayers," said Eric Slifka, President & CEO of Global Partners. "We filed this lawsuit because the public deserves a fair, transparent process, not a backroom deal riddled with conflicts of interest where people win by not playing by the rules."

Global's filing argues that the violations are so pervasive that the contract cannot stand. The company is asking the Court to: halt execution of the lease; disqualify Applegreen as a prospective bidder; and award the lease to Global as the responsible and responsive proposer - or, alternatively, to order MassDOT to take further action to restore fairness, accountability, and nearly a billion dollars in additional guaranteed value for Massachusetts taxpayers.

The complaint and related memorandum of law filed with the court argue that:

• Global has a strong likelihood of success on the merits because of clear violations of procurement law, conflict of interest law, and the Public Records Act.
• Massachusetts taxpayers will suffer irreparable harm if the lease proceeds and the state will forfeit hundreds of millions of dollars in guaranteed revenue.
• The public interest overwhelmingly favors an injunction to restore transparency, fairness, and fiscal responsibility to one of the largest infrastructure leases in state history.

The Commonwealth deserves a process that is fair, transparent, and delivers value for its people. Global stands ready to deliver future-ready plazas, local investment, and fiscal responsibility that Massachusetts travelers and taxpayers deserve.

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 https://www.globalp.com.

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