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Enron Mail |
This is a file I have had set up for some years. From time to time, we
receive third party subpoenas from the parties. I recently received (through Carrin Patman) an informal request from Exxon's counsel in this matter for some old Exxon/Intratex gas supply contracts. Exxon's expert wants to use these contracts as part of his database to show that, contrary to the royalty class's primary theory of recovery, Exxon did adequately market the royalty owners' gas. Exxon's attorney has already tried to find these old contracts at Exxon, but there is no cross-reference index available on these old documents. Exxon will pay for our costs in responding and has no problem with us wanting them to be kept confidential. The parties recently got a trial setting for August 28 in Winkler County state court (Kermit Texas). Exxon will file a motion for continuance, but of course can't be sure that it will be granted. Parenthetically, plaintiffs are asking for $53 million in actual damages, and up to twenty times that in punitives, plus 40% attorneys' fees. I do not, however, believe that Intratex or any present or former Enron entity has any exposure. This case has been around for five years, and no Enron entity has ever been made a party, nor has there been any hint of that. You should also be aware that a subset of the class brought exactly the same case against Exxon about a year ago and the jury poured them out. That case, Haley v. Exxon, also involved the same plaintiffs' experts. I am working with Bonnie to find out who the right business records custodian would be; it may be that V&E actually has all these old documents. Once I find this out, we will coordinate a response. Britt
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