Crime

Butler County | Crime | Industrywide Issues | Lease & Royalty Payments | Pennsylvania | Washington County

2nd Landman Pleads Guilty to Single Count in $2.4M Fraud Scheme
October 16, 2013October 16, 2013

A month ago MDN told you that one of two landmen accused of stealing mineral rights from unsuspecting landowners by forging signatures and using fake companies had plead guilty (see PA Landman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Landowners, Off to Jail). His name is William Ray and he’ll not only do three years in the big house, he’ll also pay back over a half million dollars of what he stole.

At the time, Ray’s partner in crime (and the mastermind behind the scheme), Derek Candelore, plead not guilty. Yesterday Candelore plead guilty to one charge of mail fraud…
Read More “2nd Landman Pleads Guilty to Single Count in $2.4M Fraud Scheme”
Butler County | Crime | Industrywide Issues | Lease & Royalty Payments | Pennsylvania | Washington County

PA Landman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Landowners, Off to Jail
September 19, 2013September 19, 2013

A few weeks ago MDN told you about the arrest and charges against a Butler, PA landman–Derek Candelore–who is accused of an elaborate scam in stealing away mineral rights from unsuspecting landowners by forging signatures and using fake companies (see When Landmen Go Bad: Butler, PA Landman Arrested for Fraud). Candelore plead not guilty, but his partner, William Ray, has just pleaded guilty and when convicted will spend something like three years in the clink for his crime.

Mr. Ray will not only do the time, he’ll also have to give back over half a million dollars he received as part of the scam and continue to pay back what he stole from his future earnings after he’s done making license plates in the pen for ten cents an hour…
Read More “PA Landman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Landowners, Off to Jail”
Crime | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Mahoning County | Ohio | Wastewater

Harch Environmental Gets $100K Fine for OH Wastewater Dumping
September 12, 2013September 12, 2013

In early June, the Ohio Dept. of Environmental Resources (ODNR) “temporarily” shut down Harch Environment Services after it was caught illegally dumping frack wastewater on the ground (see Another OH Company Shut Down for Illegal Frack Wastewater Dumping). The ODNR investigated and has just assessed a $100,000 fine against Harch. As part of their action, ODNR is requiring Harch to cease wastewater hauling for 30 days–although we were under the impression they had already ceased as of early June. Plus, ODNR says it reserves the right to bring more charges, including criminal charges, against the company in the future.

It does appear, however, that Harch (unlike D&L Energy) will be permitted to resume operations in Ohio once again…
Read More “Harch Environmental Gets $100K Fine for OH Wastewater Dumping”
Crime | Industrywide Issues | Ohio County | West Virginia

Transient Pipeline Workers in WV Charged with Murdering Student
September 5, 2013September 5, 2013

Very sad news. Two out-of-state natural gas pipeline workers (and possibly a third still at large) are accused of murdering a Wheeling, WV university student. News reports from Wheeling state that another student who was attacked at the same time and survived said there had been “unpleasantries” exchanged (i.e. arguing) not long before the pair were attacked around 1:45 am in the morning. Diligent work by local investigators made the connection to the out-of-state pipeline workers living in an RV park a few miles from where the attack occurred.

According to local police, this is the first time they’ve had criminal problems with natgas workers. Pittsburgh KDKA’s Andy Sheehan reports on this breaking news…
Read More “Transient Pipeline Workers in WV Charged with Murdering Student”
Crime | Industrywide Issues | Mahoning County | Ohio

Youngstown, OH Illegal Wastewater Dumping Happened “At Least” 24X
September 4, 2013

A long, sad chapter is about to close on the case of wastewater dumping in the Youngstown, OH area last year and earlier this year. MDN previously told you about Ben Lupo, the owner of Hardrock Excavating and its sister company D&L Energy, who instructed a one of his Hardrock employees to dump shale drilling wastewater into a storm drain (under cover of darkness) that eventually ended up in the Mahoning River. Early on it was thought there were something like six instances of illegal dumping (see Youngstown Business Dumped >200K Gal of Untreated Wastewater).

Under oath, the employee who did the illegal dumping, Michael Guesman, admitted it was “at least” 24 times. Ouch…
Read More “Youngstown, OH Illegal Wastewater Dumping Happened “At Least” 24X”
Crime | Energy Companies | Industrywide Issues | Lease & Royalty Payments | Pennsylvania | Range Resources Corp | Washington County

When Landmen Go Bad: Butler, PA Landman Arrested for Fraud
August 23, 2013August 23, 2013

A landman for Penn-Star Energy of Butler, PA, working to secure leases for Range Resources, is accused of a huge scam.

Apparently he used fake companies and forged signatures to steal away mineral rights from some landowners in Washington County, PA–worth more than $1 million…
Read More “When Landmen Go Bad: Butler, PA Landman Arrested for Fraud”
Crime | Industrywide Issues | Pennsylvania | Statewide PA

Student Intern Vandalizes 3 Gas/Oil Wells in PA Allegheny Forest
August 19, 2013August 19, 2013

What are those anti-drilling professors teaching in college these days anyway? A very misguided student intern, working on a project to clear a trail in the Pennsylvania Allegheny National Forest, decided he would vandalize three gas and oil wells drilled in the forest–wells that are legally there, with the blessing of PA state officials. Wells that are helping to reduce carbon in the atmosphere (if that sort of thing is important to you). Wells that may or may not have been horizontal shale wells.

So this so-called student–Jeffrey Branham (from Arizona)–damaged three wells and caused oil to spill on the ground, contaminating the precious environment he thinks he’s saving. What a dope…
Read More “Student Intern Vandalizes 3 Gas/Oil Wells in PA Allegheny Forest”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Crime | Industrywide Issues

Maine Anti-Drillers Get Away with Crime – Block Train Tracks
August 15, 2013August 15, 2013

A group of anti-drilling protesters from 350 Maine and Earth First (considered by many to be an eco-terrorist group) illegally blocked train tracks in Fairfield (Somerset County, Maine) in June. The “protesters” blocked the tracks because trains are hauling tanker cars with oil that comes from domestic shale plays–you know, oil produced by using that evil, godawful fracking. And so these very twisted individuals took it on themselves to stop a train–and they were rightly arrested for their crime.

But now, the DA won’t press charges. Why?…
Read More “Maine Anti-Drillers Get Away with Crime – Block Train Tracks”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Crime | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | New York | Regulation | Seneca County

Anti-Drillers Provide Fraudulent Ban Petition to Covert, NY Board
July 23, 2013July 23, 2013

An MDN reader has alerted us to some “funny business” going on in the Town of Covert, NY (near Ithaca) on the part of anti-drillers who circulated a petition in support of a town ban on fracking. It appears that at least some of the “signatures” on the petition were fraudulently added by the group circulating the petition, the so-called Concerned Citizens of Covert (CCC). The list of names of those supposedly supporting a ban were presented as a typewritten list to town board members, but (as far as we know), the original signed petitions have not yet been produced by CCC.

One Covert landowner says she did not sign the petition but her name, along with the names of other family members who also did not sign, appears on the typewritten version of the petition. She said it looks like the CCC simply went through voter registration roles and added a bunch of names, claiming they had all signed. If that’s true, the CCC petition should immediately be investigated by the local and state attorneys general (but don’t hold your breath)…
Read More “Anti-Drillers Provide Fraudulent Ban Petition to Covert, NY Board”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Crime | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues

12 Protesters Arrested for Shutting Down NC Chemical Plant
July 10, 2013July 9, 2013

It seems the Hardees fries and ketchup (and patience) finally ran out and officials from the Momentive resin plant in Morganton, NC, a fracking chemical manufacturer, had protesters who were blocking the plant’s entrance arrested. Yesterday, MDN told you about the dunderhead protesters who laid down in the middle of the road and put themselves in harm’s way (see Protesters Try to Shut Down NC Frack Chemical Plant). The protesters knew what they were doing crossed the free speech line into criminal activity by shutting down a business, but when the police started arresting them, they said (our interpretation): “Duh. What’s goin’ on dude? Why you arrestin’ me man? I was jest leavin.”

Twelve protesters in all were arrested and carted off to the clink…
Read More “12 Protesters Arrested for Shutting Down NC Chemical Plant”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Crime | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues

Protesters Try to Shut Down NC Frack Chemical Plant
July 9, 2013

This story, while technically not an event happening in the Marcellus/Utica Shale region, is geographically close (North Carolina) and involves a manufacturer of fracking chemicals–chemicals likely used in the Marcellus/Utica. This story is illustrative of what MDN calls FDS–Fracking Derangement Syndrome–a condition found in more ardent anti-drillers who willing put themselves in harm’s way in the mistaken belief that they’re somehow helping Mother Earth and actually doing something to prevent fracking. “Deranged” is an apt label for them.

A group of some 100 or so FDS-infected protesters laid down in the middle of the road in front of the Momentive resin plant in Morganton, NC (about 60 miles northwest of Charlotte) to stop trucks carrying chemicals from leaving the facility. A few of the protesters set up 20-foot-tall wooden structures and climbed up on top. If police try to make them come down forceably, the structures will topple and the protesters will get injured (gee, too bad). So the chemical company, Momentive (owned by the same parent that owns Hardees) just let them hang around and make horses rear-ends of themselves. Hey, pass the ketchup! Wanna up-size those Hardees fries? We’re gonna be here for a while watching these loons…
Read More “Protesters Try to Shut Down NC Frack Chemical Plant”
Crime | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Mahoning County | Ohio | Wastewater

OH Wastewater Dumper D&L Energy Gets Business Death Sentence
June 26, 2013June 26, 2013

The sad story of D&L Energy, a Youngstown, OH operator of several wastewater injection wells, has come to an ignominious end. It’s owner was (is?) Ben Lupo, who also owns sister company Hardrock Excavating, operating both companies under the D&L Energy Group umbrella. Starting last September, Lupo instructed a Hardrock employee to dump untreated fracking wastewater down a sewer drain that emptied into the Mahoning River. Lupo and the driver were found out earlier this year (see Youngstown Business Dumped >200K Gal of Untreated Wastewater).

The Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (ODNR) promptly shut down both D&L Energy and Hardrock in February (see OH Company Dumping Frack Wastewater in Drain May Appeal Shut-Down). The shut-down led to a filing for bankruptcy in a desperate attempt to re-open and keep D&L afloat. Lupo appealed the ODNR ruling claiming D&L Energy is separate from Hardrock and just because he behaved badly at Hardrock does not mean D&L should be punished too. The Ohio Oil & Gas Commission (OOGC) has now ruled on that appeal…
Read More “OH Wastewater Dumper D&L Energy Gets Business Death Sentence”
Crime | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Mahoning County | Ohio | Wastewater

Youngstown Democrat Gets “Return to Sender” Over D&L Letters
June 26, 2013June 26, 2013

An interesting story related to the business death sentence handed down to D&L Energy by the Ohio Oil & Gas Commission (see today’s related story). State Rep. Robert Hagan (Democrat from Youngstown) tried to improperly influence the OOGC, technically a court body, by sending letters directly to members ruling on the D&L appeal. He requested that they reject the appeal. The OOGC didn’t fall for it and instead sent the letters on to the OOGC attorney and the attorney for D&L. That is, Hagan got a “return to sender” from the OOGC, along with a rap on the knuckles. He was (eventually) cleared of wrongdoing by the Ohio Ethics Commission.

Oh, this is the same Rep. Robert Hagan who wants to more than double the oil and gas drilling tax in Ohio (see Youngstown Democrat State Rep Wants to Hike Severance Tax to 7.5%). Here’s the D&L/Hagan kerfuffle:
Read More “Youngstown Democrat Gets “Return to Sender” Over D&L Letters”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Crime | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Statewide OH | Wastewater

Anti-Drilling Group Tries to Connect Harch to Radioactive Issue
June 6, 2013June 6, 2013

Unfortunately when someone from “our side” violates the public trust as happened with yesterday’s revelation that Harch Environmental Resources had been caught dumping frack wastewater on the ground in Ohio (see Another OH Company Shut Down for Illegal Frack Wastewater Dumping), it gives the irrational anti-fossil fuel opposition ammunition. The pro-fracking side is held to a standard of near-perfection, while the other side plays fast and loose with facts, truth and lies.

So it was no surprise to MDN that the odious and misnamed organization Food & Water Watch (FWW) issued a statement yesterday calling for…we’re not quite sure. Less regulation? More regulation? Hard to tell with that bunch what they really mean/want…
Read More “Anti-Drilling Group Tries to Connect Harch to Radioactive Issue”
Belmont County | Crime | Energy Companies | Gulfport Energy | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Wastewater

Another OH Company Shut Down for Illegal Frack Wastewater Dumping
June 5, 2013June 5, 2013

Yesterday the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources (ODNR) shut down St. Clairsville (Belmont County), OH company Harch Environmental Resources saying the company was caught illegally dumping fracking wastewater on the ground in Ohio. ODNR also rapped Gulfport Energy on the knuckles but good as well. Gulfport used Harch but, according to ODNR, “failed to meet its responsibility to monitor” frack wastewater from cradle to grave. Both Harch and Gulfport are now being investigated by Ohio’s attorney general for civil and criminal charges.

The notice issued yesterday from ODNR:
Read More “Another OH Company Shut Down for Illegal Frack Wastewater Dumping”
Crime | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Minuteman Environmental Services | Northumberland County | Pennsylvania

Shale Environmental Services Company Raided by PA AG’s Office
May 31, 2013May 31, 2013

Natural gas drilling support company Minuteman Environmental Services supplies fracking fluid, drilling mud, and hauls away fracking wastewater for shale drillers in the Marcellus Shale. Minuteman’s corporate headquarters in Milton (Northumerland County), PA was raided on Wednesday by a swarm of agents from the PA Attorney General’s office, along with agents from the PA DEP, FBI and IRS. MDN has no idea why the Minuteman office was raided–the Attorney General’s office won’t say.

Minuteman owner and president Brian Bolus says disgruntled former employees have made baseless accusations. About what, we don’t know. In fact, no one in authority is talking, so we don’t know much. Here’s what we do know:
Read More “Shale Environmental Services Company Raided by PA AG’s Office”