DOJ seeks to drop conspiracy indictment against late Thunder co-owner

Ron Clements

DOJ seeks to drop conspiracy indictment against late Thunder co-owner image

Aubrey McClendon was indicted on federal conspiracy charges Tuesday and died Wednesday. Authorities are now seeking to dismiss the indictment against him, according to The Associated Press.

The Thunder co-owner faced charges of conspiring to rig bids for oil and natural gas leases from 2007-12 while he was the CEO of Chesapeake Energy. The U.S. Department of Justice alleged McClendon orchestrated a scheme for two competing companies not to bid against each another for purchases of leases in Oklahoma.

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Less than 24 hours later after his indictment, McClendon died in a single-car crash about 9 a.m. CT Wednesday. Witnesses say the 56-year-old swerved and drove his 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe directly into an overpass, where the vehicle burst into flames. Police say McClendon had time to correct and was not wearing a seatbelt. 

The AP reported a class-action lawsuit was filed Thursday against Chesapeake Energy, alleging that a conspiracy did exist and involved the former CEO of Sandridge Energy, Tom Ward.

Ron Clements