Oklahoma Court Rejects Sanctions Request Over Sunoco Appeal Tactics

In Muskogee, Oklahoma, a federal judge refused to impose sanctions on Sunoco and its counsel after the company pursued a series of appeals following a 2020 judgment that it had neglected interest on overdue oil payments to a class of well owners. The plaintiffs argued the appeals were frivolous and intended to evade the court-ordered payment. Although the ruling noted that Sunoco and its attorneys "needlessly pushed the envelope" with what was termed "trickery," it determined that the requested penalties fell outside the scope of applicable sanctions law. The decision leaves the original judgment on Sunoco's liability intact, without additional punitive measures against the company or its lawyers.