Co-Owner Asks Pa. Court to Release Her Share of Settlement Funds

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A joint tenant who co-owns residential property with a non-settling plaintiff in a lawsuit over environmental damage from "fracking," has asked a federal judge to release one-half of the settlement funds apportioned to her property in an agreement between Pennsylvania environmental officials and Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. Fiorentino v. Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., et al., No. 09-cv-2284 (M.D. Pa.).

Lorna L. Schopperth filed the Motion for Release of Funds on Aug. 4, seeking a share of $2,334,160 held in escrow for homeowners in Dimock, Pa., who complained of tainted water wells and other environmental damage …