Related Federal Cases
- XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc. Fined for Clean Water Act Violation, Texas… · Washington
- Albert Davis Indicted for Making False Declarations, Texas, 2015 · Missouri
- Juan Francisco Saenz-Tamez, Texas Drug Trafficking, Beaumont TX, 2023 · New Mexico
- Juan A. Tony Marrero, Medicare Fraud Scheme, Miami FL, 2023 · Florida
- Tren de Aragua Leaders Unsealed, Terror Cartel Crimes, Texas, 2023 · New Mexico
Hilcorp San Juan Settles False Claims Act Claims in Texas
HOUSTON – In a move to rectify years of allegedly underpaying royalties owed on oil and natural gas produced from federal lands, Hilcorp San Juan L.P. has agreed to pay $34.6 million to resolve its False Claims Act and other liability for the conduct.
In a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani stated, ‘Oil and gas production is a centerpiece of Houston and Texas’s economies, and for businesses to thrive it’s important that oil and gas companies play by the rules. That’s why my office will vigorously pursue those who deprive the United States of revenue.’
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton added, ‘U.S. taxpayers deserve a fair share of the revenues received by companies that extract natural resources from public lands.’ He noted the Justice Department’s commitment to ensuring that energy companies accurately report and pay to the United States the amount of royalties owed for their use of these resources.
The allegations stem from a period between August 2017 and December 2018, during which Hilcorp San Juan allegedly made royalty payments to the federal government based on estimated volumes and prices without indicating that the payments were based on estimates and without subsequently making payments in the following month based on actual volumes and values.
Hilcorp San Juan cooperated with the United States’ investigation by assisting in the determination of losses and received credit under the Department’s guidelines for taking disclosure, cooperation, and remediation into account in False Claims Act cases.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, DOI’s Office of the Inspector General-Energy Investigations Unit, DOI’s Office of the Solicitor, and DOI’s Office of Natural Resources Revenue.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Shaitelman and Trial Attorney Jonathan Thrope handled the matter. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News