Judge to rule on whether Chesapeake stands trial

CHEBOYGAN (AP) - A northern Michigan judge says she'll issue a ruling later on whether Chesapeake Energy should stand trial on racketeering charges that accuse it of leasing land to thwart competitors and then canceling the deals when the competition ended. A probable cause hearing in the criminal case against the Oklahoma City-based company began Aug. 18 and ended last Wednesday in Cheboygan District Court. Judge Maria Barton says she'll review the evidence and issue a written opinion later. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette filed the charges over land deals in the northern Lower Peninsula. Chesapeake spokesman Gordon Pennoyer says it's contesting what it calls "baseless allegations." A Dec. 2 trial is scheduled in a separate antitrust case that accuses Chesapeake of rigging bids at a 2010 state oil and gas lease auction. Published: Mon, Sep 01, 2014