Nonprofit organizations throughout Oklahoma met Friday to express their support for Chesapeake Energy Corp. and its CEO Aubrey McClendon, both of whom have received scrutiny over the past three weeks.
“When any of our partner organizations do so much for the community, we wonder how much the community knows about it,” Debby Hampton, president and CEO of the United Way of Central Oklahoma, said of the rally at Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma Inc. “Chesapeake has touched nonprofit organizations throughout Oklahoma, including health and human services, arts, education and animal welfare organizations.”
More than 20 organizations reportedly were represented at the meeting.
Chesapeake donated more than $31 million to charitable organizations and projects throughout its operating areas nationwide, primarily focusing on community development, education, health and social services, the company said in its proxy statement filed with federal regulators earlier this month.
Chesapeake is the largest contributor to United Way of Central Oklahoma, and the company and its employees pledged to donate $6.3 million to local United Way chapters in eight states, according to the filing.
Chesapeake and its CEO have drawn the attention of Wall Street analysts, shareholders groups, politicians and federal regulators since April 18, when it was reported that McClendon had borrowed up to $1.1 billion using his personal stake in Chesapeake wells as collateral.
Later reports indicate that McClendon and SandRidge Energy CEO Tom Ward ran a $200 million hedge fund from 2004 to 2009.
In response to the reports, 11 shareholders groups have filed lawsuits against Chesapeake and the Securities and Exchange Commission has launched an informal inquiry.
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