Chesapeake Appalachia Disputes Landowners' Claim for Additional Bonus Payment

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Chesapeake Appalachia LLC has moved for summary judgment in a dispute over bonus payments to a Pennsylvania landowner, citing problems revealed in a title search and contract language precluding any additional payments. Unflat, et ux. v. Chesapeake Appalachia, L.L.C., et al., No. 3:10-cv-01422-UN3 (M.D. Pa.).

Chesapeake Energy Corp. joined in the June 1 motion, asserting that it is not a party to any contract with plaintiffs Gunther K. and Margaret M. Unflat despite being named in the lawsuit.

The Unflats allege in their lawsuit that the Chesapeake defendants enriched themselves by failing to pay an agreed upon …