Chesapeake Energy Corp. has reportedly faced legal action over allegations that it “deliberately and fraudulently” underpaid the full gas royalty due to leaseholders. Although lawsuits in Kentucky and New York were rejected by the courts, the company reportedly faces a similar class action lawsuit in Ohio, while another case in Virginia has reportedly settled. Additionally, attorneys in Pennsylvania are seeking to bring a class action lawsuit claiming that the company is deducting the cost of moving the gas from the well to the market, thereby underpaying royalties due to leaseholders. The attorneys allege Pennsylvania law requires that an oil and gas contract must offer at least a 12.5 percent royalty to be valid; however, a State Supreme Court decision found that because the law did not define the term “royalty,” companies could use their own interpretations, reportedly leading to the aforementioned deductions.
If you have had deductions taken out of your royalty payments for certain fees, such as post-production, marketing or processing fees, or suspect you were otherwise cheated out of the money owed to you, visit ClassAction.org today. The attorneys working with the site are trying to determine whether certain energy companies, including Chesapeake, could face legal action regarding their royalty payments. Free case reviews are currently being offered online.
About Class Action.org
Class Action.org is dedicated to protecting consumers and investors in class actions and complex litigation throughout the United States. Class Action.org keeps consumers informed about product alerts, recalls, and emerging litigation and helps them take action against the manufacturers of defective products, drugs, and medical devices. Information about consumer fraud issues and environmental hazards is also available on the site. Visit http://www.classaction.org today for a no cost, no obligation case evaluation and information about your consumer rights.
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Hannah Armstrong
8004491970
pressrelease@lawyercentral.com
Source: EmailWire.Com
