The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals has ruled a state lawsuit filed by mineral owners accusing Chesapeake Energy of antitrust practices can be heard in state court.
The energy company contends the matter should be heard in federal court but the Civil Appeals court ruled otherwise.
“It is well established that federal antitrust law does not pre-empty the assertion of antitrust claims under parallel state antitrust law,” determined the Appeals Court in reversing an earlier ruling made by the trial court.
It was in 2016 when Chesapeake admitted to violating federal antitrust law and began cooperating with the Department of Justice.
While the mineral holders will get their day in state court, others who filed suit against Chesapeake in federal court are still awaiting the outcome of their lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton has given parties until April 16 to conclude their mediation.
