C&T files class action lawsuit against Chesapeake Energy and co-conspirators alleging violations of federal antitrust laws

On March 10, 2016, C&T filed a class action complaint against Defendants Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Sandridge Energy, Inc., Tom L. Ward, and John Does 1-50 alleging violations of Sections 1 and 3 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1, 3, as a result of Defendants’ conduct in conspiring to rig fracking lease bidding processes. Plaintiff has alleged, on behalf of himself and the Class, that from 2007-2012, Defendants engaged in a scheme whereby they agreed not to bid against each other for the purchase of certain oil and natural gas leases in northwest Oklahoma. Plaintiff alleges that as a result of this anticompetitive conduct, Plaintiff and Class members received less in payments for fracking leases, including bonus and royalty payments. This case –Don Beadles I/T/F The Alva Synagogue Church v. Chesapeake Energy Corporation, et al. – is now pending before the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma