Jul 16, 2013 1 min read

A Southpointe-based Marcellus Shale natural gas exploration company is seeking a court order to declare it has no responsibility to pay a $12 million bill from a financial broker.

Rice Drilling is seeking the declatory judgement in Washington County Court against Dean G. Tanella of Florida, claiming there is no provision in its contract with him setting fees for another company making an investment in Rice, court records show.

Tanella, the lawsuit claims, and his affiliates were solely responsible for selling Rice’s debt, the court record shows. It further claims the May 1 invoice it received for the $12 million bill was followed up with the threat of a lawsuit if it went unpaid.