Court Rejects Landowners' Bid for Sanctions for Energy Firm's Witness Preparation

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A federal magistrate judge has rejected plaintiff landowners' assertions that a defendant energy company deserved sanctions because its representative was unprepared to answer questions on royalties and corporate finances at deposition. Wellman, et al. v. Bobcat Oil & Gas Inc., No. 3:10-cv-00147 (S.D. W.V.).

Magistrate Judge Cheryl A. Eifert did grant in part a second motion for sanctions, however, finding that Bobcat Oil & Gas Inc. should have produced a notarized statement by a former Bobcat employee prior to her deposition.

Martha and Charles Wellman sought the sanctions in separate motions filed with the U.S. District …