Chesapeake Asserts Statute of Limitations Defense to Landowners' Fraud Claims

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Chesapeake Appalachia has moved to dismiss a West Virginia couple's claims that they were fraudulently induced to enter into a below-market lease for gas rights, asserting in part that the plaintiffs' tort claims are untimely. Bell, et ux. v. Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC, et al., No. 2:11-cv-00074-JPB (N.D. W.Va.).

Chesapeake removed Howard and Ethelyn Bell's lawsuit to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia on Sept. 14 and filed its motion to dismiss on Sept. 20.

The Bells allege that Chesapeake and its landman, Thomas Milstead, induced the "impoverished, elderly couple" to lease their …