I agree Mr Kitchens, the lawyers are a big fraternity. I am doing what I can to expose this mess. I don’t like suing anyone, but they deserve it big time. I really don’t like to think my lawyer did this to me, but he was put into a pressure cooker with no way out. His largest client was SWN, so he was in a mess, I always ask myself what is the right thing to do. he should have done that. I worked for his Father as a very young man right out of college, he came from a good family, his father was previously CEO of Arkla Gas in Arkansas. he’s smart and he knows better, but the money involved, and the situation, was more than he could deal with. No I would not have done what he did for any amount of money, but its done, if these 2 operators have any morals in their company, they will do something to take care of me. if not that’s fine, they just will not ever access my land again, for their further needs. I don’t think I can do anything to help the others that lost minerals. I am very interested in stopping these people from putting on the black robe again, the operators want them in power so that they can mess other Arkansans around. There is criminal involvement in my case by several parties. I am in hopes someone deals with it. Otherwise Arkansas will be ran by the operators. I am trying to get 60 minutes to come here and do a story on what is going on in our state. That would bring it to a head in a hurry.I appreciate your support, and will post any new developments in the future. I want quit until I have exhausted all efforts.I am positive I am right, it’s just getting the right combination to get them to help. I will either file suit, or just sit and wait, I feel they are going to need me some day. I don’t sell my land, I am 58 so I hope the good Lord has a few more years for me. SWN took out a 50 year lease on the pumping station land, with an option for 50 I sure wont see the second fifty, but my family will execute my wishes after I am gone. I am like you, I trust lawyers no further than I could throw one. I wish the laws were not so complex we did not need them, but if the laws don’t fit like they want, they just change the law, so it does fit so they can get there dirty money.Have you noticed you don’t see many rich lawyers, there is a reason for that, it’s called dishonesty. Some are very honest, but these people are as corrupt as they come. I do not see how they look in the mirror each morning.
It sounds like your lawyer should have disclosed that he had a conflict of interest and never took your case period. Would have saved you alot of time and money to this point, even if you still lost your minerals.
Your right sir, He did tell me SWN was his # 1 client rendering title opinion, and if I got crossways with them he would have to bow out. But I did not know until afterwards he and SWN was not with me, because they held my lease. But they gave mine up, as a tradeoff with CHK for a swap. So that both of them would not have to litigate against the Snowden's for breach, which would have been a losing battle they would have likely filed bankruptcy. Both operators also would have to went to every correct mineral owner by law, and re lease all the 6000 plus acres, after production had began, for a lot higher prices than they paid. The 2 companies compromised me and 1 other man out of the minerals, along with 6000 acres of other mineral holders, to save millions of dollars which does not make it right. They bought the judge, the lawyers, and had the states blessings, that they would stand behind the corruption. My lawyer probably should have bowed out or not taken my case at all. He cost me a lot of money, and saved his # 1 client millions. He and the CHK lawyer's were friends, they cut a deal privately I am sure. Its borderline criminal activity, and for sure mal-practice, on his part. We will see how the final chapter plays out, I still have a few things, I am not ruling out yet. I am currently talking to a prestigious law firm in Texas, I would not even get started in Arkansas, too much corruption here, I am sad to say. The Obama administration's corruption has trickled right on down. I am hoping they do something, before or, if I do something. I am moving slow, on making decisions, I have quite some time before my limitations period runs out, and I don't want to sue, but who knows, I would be right. But right don't count in Arkansas any more, so its a big decision. CHK knew the minerals belonged to me, because they sued my defendant for breach, it cant be any clearer than that. Long story short, until after the trial or until during the trial, I had no idea SWN was working against me, but I knew at trial they was, they did a bad job, of covering it up.
I want to thank you Mr Kitchens your a smart man and have given me great advice and support in this battle, for my own property. Your support has meant a lot to me, because that’s one thing I have not had much of. if you can share a little about yourself I would appreciate it. I can tell your have a lot of experience in this industry. I love to learn and have learned a lot from this unpleasant experience. My Dad was old school couldn’t read or write, raised thru the depression, but if I ran from a fight, even though I got the worst of it, I got another bad experience if he found out about it. I made me try very hard if someone is picking on my family, thankfully I work today with my mind instead of what I used as a kid. I have battled big corporations before, and won, not always, but at least they knew they had mistreated a good customer. The CNG industry has been good to me, the operators overall have been very nice, and particulary SWN. They have good people in the field in Arkansas. I know them folks did not make this bad decision, someone in corporate did.I have a contact in Houston, named Vincent, that is one of the nicest young men I have ever done business with, a total professional with 2 little girls. I was shocked when they turned on me I thought I was an ally, and they forced me to fight for what belongs to my family. I would do it all over again, they not only took my minerals they took a part of my legacy. I was born in El Dorado AR, my paternal grandfather was a oil and gas mineral trader at the Union Co. Courthouse, same place as HL Hunt started. He died at 93 broke, and right after he died one of his small leases hit oil. I get about a 25 dollar check every 2 or 3 months from Sunoco Energy, from my grandfathers mineral lease, that reminds me of him every time I get one. I never saw him out of a suit and tie. He would be close to 140 years old if he lived today, my other grand father worked in the oil and gas fields. It was in my blood, but I never thought where I live I would ever get to be involved in that industry. I live 30 miles north of LR. I own a lot of land by Arkansas standards in the Fayetteville Shale areas. My point is I lost part of my legacy, in this corruption. I will always own the surface, but no minerals. It has been difficult to deal with. because it’s the same as if I was held at gunpoint and robbed. But you have been a great source if inspiration in my ongoing battle and I just wanted to tell you that. I would love to know a little about yourself.
I am glad you have got in contact with an out-of-state firm. Texas has a lot of lawyers, but there has been so many oil and gas issues addressed in this state, there are many experts here that other states may not possess. I really hope that things work out in your favor, if not for anything other than for justice for those who cheated you and the others. There are still a few good people left in this world! Honestly I don't have any industry experience. In college I took labor law and real estate courses as part of my business degree. I had an internship at a title company for a year and a half where I ran title on minerals, easements, right-of-way, tax foreclosures, etc. etc. I also had a small internship at a construction company as a surveyor for a summer. Many of my close friends work directly in oil and gas. We have had wells forever on our farm. My great grandfather worked for the US Geological Survey. His brother was a seismologist, and together with my 2nd great grandfather they explored all over the world for oil and gas and gold. It was about the time I learned about him that I got really interested in oil and gas. I took the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) after graduating college but have decided not to go on to law school. I have many friends and classmates who are now lawyers. I am very interested in law, but especially labor law and oil and gas law. At this point I really want to manage minerals and consult on behalf of owners and help them through the myriad of issues with developing minerals. There are plenty of experts helping corporations, and not many helping owners (minerals / land) like us. I am not very familiar with Arkansas and surprisingly have never had any family that has ever lived there either. Each state is unique and even individual counties may operate completely different than another. Sometimes that is good, sometimes bad. Solving problems is all a matter of staying on the right track, and knowing who or where to ask when you don't know where to go next. There is an incredible amount of knowledgeable people on this forum, and I take great pleasure in learning something new on here everyday. Unlike local news, on here you get to see people with problems find answers and even success in overcoming difficulties.
Thank you sir, I knew you had a great background. I have a new hypothesis, on what happened to me, and would love to hear what you think. When I sued this family named Snowden, for my minerals after they committed after acquired title, in 2004. My oil and gas attorney said it was the clearest case of it he had ever seen, and he was the one that told me about the additional 6000 acres they committed it on. he said and I qoute slam dunk no brainer case.Well this Snowden man who since has passed, tried to sell the whole 6000 acres of minerals in VB county, and had a buyer until title was ran, and it was found he no longer owned no or little minerals in VB county.He was a good guy to try a make his problem
someone else’s. So I am sure he was instrumental in getting his son a job with CHK, as a non professional land man,
in other words without the training. I think he went to every tract that his family knew they no longer owned, and put fraudulent leases on every acre of it. The lease from CHK on my minerals Snowdens was staking was staking an interest in
was after production had begun, there is no telling how much money they were paid for fraudulent leases, and CHK, believed them that these were unleashed properties Snowdens owned. The reason I know this is CHK sued Snowdens for breach of warranty clause, within my case, which tells me, they knew I owned the minerals. They also sued me for clouding the title, well I never heard about that anymore, because they knew I owned the minerals. So this over 6000 acres of minerals were fraudulent, and it was CHK’s fault for being sold a bill of goods. These leases today are holding up. They have no validity to them.My lease with SWN is still good, it is held by production. me and a friend were CHK’s scapegoats for their stupidity. The Snowden’s own no minerals, now I may have to get the federal government involved but, this 6000 acres, of minerals were not attained upon a legal basis, only by fraud. Surely this will not hold up, if I have to get Federal involvement. These companies are coming here from out of state, that’s why I can contact, the federal justice department. CHK needs to go after Snowdens in civil courts, and I would like to be a fly on a wall on that one, big bucks. CHK’s Snowden land man has not worked there in some time, once they found he had cooked their goose. I think my lawyer may have cut a deal with the banker, SWN may not be involved as much as I previously thought. I sincerely hope their not. The state of Arkansas is still a bunch of greedy sneaky crooks, that have no gonads. I think I am right Mr. Kitchens, could be wrong, but don’t think I am far off base. I would be interested in your thoughts, and how I should proceed, I am going to keep the pedal down. These people are trying to steal from my family and the families of other Arkansans. I know one thing if I was these operators I don’t think I would put that 250K check in the mail this month with these facts revealed.
I found something else about the judge in my case. He reduced, a jury award of 5.2 million to 1 million, under suspicion of taking a little bribe from the nursing home that was the defendant. What they were accused of that a patient was lying in a hall, crying and begging and pleading, for help and employees did not help her and she died as a result.That’s the kind of trash we have in our courts, and certified criminal crook. That’s running for appeallate judge with no competition. I think because he is the CNG 's boy, to keep corruption alive and well in Arkansas. The judge is republican, the governor is democrat, I feel their is a high probability, The democrats have assured the CNG operators that their boy will remain in a position to help the operators, by putting the screws to their own constituents, for a nominal fee. This way he could still be of benefit to the operators as he leaves office, so the money is still coming in, after he leaves office.Arkansas has allowed crooks to take over the state. It’s embarrassing what they are simply getting away with, and it all revolves around not the laws on the books, but how much money they can gain for themselves, by changing the laws on the books. It’s very bad here, they all need impeached. The citizens are trying to abide by the laws, the correct way in court, but if this continues, I am afraid some Arkansans will take the law into their on hands, because they are openly stealing from, Arkansans, with the states blessing. The federal government needs to get involved in Arkansas, like they did on the integration issue, and making Faubus back off his stand agaimst integration, and federal troops were brought in so those kids could enter Little Rock central. But this time they need to deal with corruption. This information is of my personal opinion.
The Judge in my case was Michael Maggio. The lawyers was Bob Honea, a partner in the Hardin, Jesson and Terry, he was representing SWN, and not my interest in court. Mark Moll was attorney for Woods Daily law firm, both from Ft. Smith AR. He represented CHK, and also sued me for clouding the title, and also sued the defendant, the Snowden’s for breach of warranty, on the 2007 lease that was fraudulent. The lawyer for the banker, who was the sneak behind the scenes was Philip Miron, with Hyden Miron and Foster, and a partner in the firm. He was calling my lawyer in Ft. Smith
Danny Longing said:
The Judge in my case was Michael Maggio. The lawyers was Bob Honea, a partner in the Hardin, Jesson and Terry, he was representing SWN, and not my interest in court. Mark Moll was attorney for Woods Daily law firm, both from Ft. Smith AR. He represented CHK, and also sued me for clouding the title, and also sued the defendant, the Snowden's for breach of warranty, on the 2007 lease that was fraudulent. The lawyer for the banker, who was the sneak behind the scenes was Philip Miron, with Hyden Miron and Foster, and a partner in the firm. He was calling my lawyer in Ft. Smith, plotting on how to make me lose. It is my distinct opinion to stay away from these crooks, because that's all they are. These statements are of my personal opinion.
Renew
Renew
Your hypothesis sounds quite possible. The fact that the other parties were sued really should make everyone curious actually owns the minerals. Sounds like they all figured it out after you lost, and rather than drag it all out, everyone essentially walked away (possibly an out-of-court agreement?). Have you had any contact with a new attorney? If CHK doesn't recognize Snowden as owning the mineral rights, who do they recognize / pay for those rights?
Good to hear from you Mr. Kitchens,
Well a lot has happened but the minerals cover up continues. I told you about the lady in the nursing home and him reducing a 5.2 million jury award for negligence, to one million. Well there were several pac's created and $25,000 was contributed into his campaign fund one hour before he made that judgement, and theoperator of the nursing home, only had 1 million of liability insurance. The supreme court, made him not have any new cases because he refused to resign. Now he just goes to court, and hears no cases. He did resign from running as an appeallate judge. Now everyone knows he's a crook, but the Governor, Mike Beebe, Senator Mark Pryor, attorney general, Dustin McDaniel was all involved in this corruption on the minerals. Chesapeake is the one that should be paying royalties to Snowden's. I already had a lease in place when theirs was recorded in 2007. This judge is probably going to do time. But his largest crime, along with leaders of the state of Arkansas, was stealing from their own constituents, over 6000 acres of minerals. These politicians accepted money for their personal gain, to protect the operators, from the citizens of the State of Arkansas. They are all bought and paid for crooks. They are also guilty of extortion, and taking protection money from the operators, so the operators can walk through our judicial system. I told the JDDC 4 or 5 years ago, they had a lose cannon in our circuit court judges. They protected him, because he made them a ton of money, and they hid behind him. He was nothing more than a patsy, from these crooks at the state and federal level to steal from their own constituents. I don't know what to do, now. I could be throwing good money after bad, in suing for mal practice, but I have found that he definitely committed mal practice. Who knows someone could have read my blogs, and went to looking on something they could prove 100%. Every large title politician, needs to be put in federal prison right along side of this judge and lawyers. SWN will stab their land and mineral owners in the back to save a dollar. I talked to 8 mal practice attorneys in the state none wanted to get involved. I think Beebe is an intimidator. I deeply wish this could be exposed in the media, I have given it my best shot, I talked to one oil and gas lawyer that was familiar with my case, and he was asked to a lawyers convention, in Shreveport to speak only about my ruling. He said none of them could believe I lost either. The judge would have been implicated by now, its totally who is connected to this crime is why this has not come out. Our state is rotten to the core, and the democrats and corrupt oil and gas attorneys, and state leaders, along with these very corrupt operators, has made holding these offices very lucrative, if your a crook, which they are. I would bet our crooked governor, leaves office next year with a lot more money in his pocket, than when he came into office. It sure was not money he earned as Governor.The Guy even looks like a crook. This discussion has had over 600 hits, I would bet these politicians and lawyers are looking at it. I hope they lose some sleep over it, I know I would if I were them. Thanks again for your support and reply. I have worked very hard at exposing this. Even with a judge that has proved he is a criminal, the biggest crime he committed was stealing 15 million dollars of property from Arkansans, for his and superiors personal gain. You should go on Bluehogreport.com to read about this judge, I bet the politicians are sick about losing their source of corruption, and bribes. These statements are of my personal opinion. You should also look at Arkansas Times, its a political publication in our state. The Judges name was Michael Maggio. The Guy at Bluehog told me he was going to expose this, but I personally think he was persuaded in one way or the other not to. I sincerely hope I am wrong.
I was born in Perry County AR in 1935. My Grandfather (Dad's dad) owned land in Casa, AR. When Mom died the mineral rights went to my brother and I. We paid the taxes for many years when it was taxed. This article was very enlightening. It appears I should really look out should someone want to lease our land. Please keep me posted as to how things turn out. Jack Tucker jackfran@wowway.com
Yes sir, you have to look out for yourself. minerals involve the state government greatly, if you have people in office that is susceptible to corruption, the 2 go hand in hand unfortunately. These oil and gas companies do not care if you lose your minerals by whatever method, if the state government is on their side, there is no one to hold them accountable. That is what happened in my case, some high level government officials, and very rich private individuals, could not resist the benefits and the corrupt politicians turned on their own constituents. I think I voted for every one of them, that sold myself and over 6000 acres of minerals that other people owned in Van Buren Co. My story is very true, I was denied my 7th amendment rights, to a fair and impartial trial. A lot of these folks need to be in a federal pen. Most Arkansans understand little about mineral rights. I am no expert myself, but I did not know we had this level of corrupt politicians, in our beautiful state. I am getting involved so that others may not have their valuable property taken. it sure does not feel good, when you have earned a honest living, paid your taxes, then the government steals from your re sources to pay your taxes.I have been thru Perryville many times, nice little community, I love to turkey hunt, and in my youth went thru there many times.I love our state, I was born in 1955 in El Dorado, both of my grand parents worked in oil and gas, I never dreamed I would make a living at it also. I was a flooring retailer for 31 years. I will keep you posted on how this is going, I am having a tough time getting the media to cover it. Our media is biased, they only tell you what they want you to know.
Thanks for reply. I just had a bad experience with an annuity I bought. I bought a Fixed Annuity, but when I received the contract it said the market value could go up or down. Should you or anyone want to contact me over this, perhaps I can save you some money. I am not in business and hate to see people exploited by others.
repost
Danny have you ever considered contacting NARO (National Association of Royalty Owners)? They have an Arkansas chapter and possibly have the right people you need to speak with regarding what happened in Arkansas. The organization was founded to help royalty owners and also to represent royalty owners in regards to legislation and tax issues. http://www.naro-us.org/Arkansas They have a state convention coming up next month and it has some contact info on there as well.
No sir , I have not. There will be a update posted tomorrow, by myself, I am being targeted I think by some bankers, as retaliation to the expose. The whole state government was involved in this as well as multiple lenders. This decision, probably was bought. No laws whatsoever support it. The people with the most money at stake was 2 operators, and quite a few banks. The banks have met I have heard met and discussed the situation, and getting the problem laid off on someone other than them. In this case it was the little Guy, like myself and the other 6000 acres of minerals that were taken from their rightful owners.There was a lot of mistakes made, Mr. Kitchens, but it sure was not the innocent land and minerals problems. The law firm that did not reserve minerals in the deeds, I thought my had some responsibility. The Snowden’s did this as a matter of course, they did this many times, taking minerals from a Corp and putting them back into their personal name. They sold as man and wife, warranting everything associated with the land because no reservations were made in the deed. Then in my case they put the minerals in Cen Ark corporation, then at a later date put the minerals back into their personal names, enacting after acquired title and the minerals should have reverted to the surface owner at the time, they took possession back into their personal names, because they warranted title against all claims, with fee simple warranty deed.
The FBI is currently investigating the corrupt judge, he has had his cases removed from him, for another severe corruption, for taking kick backs from a nursing home owner. The largest corruption he committed was with the minerals 15 to 20 million dollars worth. A few banks are strong arming me, but I still believe, this was wrong, it was regrettable that anyone associated with the defendant, lost money, on this. But it wasn’t my fault for me or the others to suffer financially, by the loss of our property, so the lenders involved make their mistake ours. The politicians, I feel were benefitting from 2 sides the banks and 2 operators. My case set the precedence for the total claims against this defendant. Its a matter of principle, this was wrong and bad wrong, the State has just ignored it, in hopes it will go away. But someone has intimidated the media in Arkansas not to report this crime. I have been tried to intimidate by lenders, by no longer helping me in my businesses. I have good credit, lived in this community since I was 6, and to my knowledge other than trying to expose this, have done nothing but be a good customer to all my lenders. I have land and quite a bit of rental property. I don’t like being brow beat, or leaned on so that I absorb others mistakes, and they take my families property, because some have the money to contribute to campaigns and PAC funds. It’s a classic case of the rich taking for those that have less than they do. I like all my lenders, but I guess they think I should not defend the theft of my and others property. All I wanted was the property that belonged to my family, by every law on the books of the state of Arkansas. These minerals that were taken could have been worth 500 to a billion dollars, if all this land is drilled and developed which is likely. They are making the people of Arkansas pay for their mistakes, by lending to a man that obviously did not seek proper council, before signing away his minerals. The defendant is deceased, but was suspect in a lot of his dealings. I don’t know if they were true or not, but the lenders had to know this, and they gave him millions, and he did not know the law, on minerals exchange, which is vital in this business. So it looks like the politicians made sure the laws were changed to make his case legal, and benefitted greatly, for rending this favor, to the lenders and a couple operators. It’s just wrong to lose your property so the people that were involved in the issue, don’t suffer the consequences of their mistake. A fee simple warranty deed is not worth the paper it is written on due to the corruption in this state.I will sir, contact this mineral Assn. That I did not know existed. I just feel if I know this has gone on, even though I will probably never get my property back. Those involved need exposing, because this is a criminal act against the general public, to benefit the politicians personally. I may get ran out of the state, but I sincerely believe in standing for what is right, so maybe the next time these people will think before they cross over the legal limits of the law, to take from others, property which does not belong to them, so the people that was responsible for the problem, lays it off on the average citizen, because most don’t even know their property was taken, in this area there are extremely poor and uneducated people. This property could have made a huge difference in their lives. I think the FBI knows of all of these details, but this is not getting exposed in the media. I have received strong armed treatment from more than a couple lenders, and direct mistreatment by some institutions, simply because I am standing up for the theft of my families assets. I don’t like this at all, it will not serve to my best interest to be vocal about this, but I just don’t fold to intimidation tactics. I want to be liked and respected in my community, and I think for the most part I am. But they are making this into a difficult situation for me, and I am innocent of any wrong doing. Right is right, if someone don’t stand up for right all we will have is corruption, and intimidation of the general public, a lot of which cannot defend themselves.I am not going to win this battle,it will hurt me some I am sure. But I am not a quitter, this was probably the biggest crime and corruption dollars wise in the state. Our Senator, our governor, our attorney general, the Judicial Discipiline Committee, who recently fined the corrupt Judge $750.00 for taking millions and millions from the public, the Arkansas bar Assn protected the corrupt lawyers involved, and they politicians or some of them were benefitting financially from his corrupt rulings, I complained 2 times to the JDDC committee about this judge, the first 5 years ago. They said he had done nothing wrong in both instances. Look at the money that would have saved in corrupt rulings, had they taken action, when they should have. I think it was going on back that far. The State could have legal liability, for protecting a corrupt circuit judge, that now has been
proven, to have suspect kick back and bribery issues.Arkansas is on the good ole boy system big time under the current leadership. These statements are of my opinion.