Chesapeake, leaseholders settle federal claim
SCRANTON (AP) – A newspaper reported that a federal lawsuit over gas drilling royalties was settled for least $7.5 million, hours after it was filed.
The Times Leader of Wilkes-Barre reported Saturday that the case had been filed against Chesapeake Appalachia LLC by Demchak Partners Limited Partnership.
The plaintiffs argued Chesapeake withheld too much in production fees from their royalty checks.
Their properties are all in Bedford and Susquehanna counties, which border New York in northeastern Pennsylvania.
A lawyer for the leaseholders said they’re thrilled with the resolution, and a Chesapeake spokesman calls it a “fair and reasonable” deal.
The settlement Friday remains subject to court approval. The case was filed in federal district court in Scranton.