1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED) MARCH 9, 2000 (MARCH 6, 2000) ------------------------------- CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter) OKLAHOMA 1-13726 73-1395733 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File No.) (IRS Employer of incorporation) Identification No.) 6100 NORTH WESTERN AVENUE, OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73118 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (405) 848-8000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
2 INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS On March 6, 2000, Chesapeake Energy Corporation ("Chesapeake") issued a press release announcing the dismissal of its 1997 securities litigation. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS (c) Exhibits. The following exhibit is filed herewith: 99. Press Release issued by the Registrant on March 6, 2000. 2
3 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION BY: /s/ AUBREY K. MCCLENDON ------------------------------------- AUBREY K. MCCLENDON Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Dated: March 9, 2000 3
4 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION - ------- ----------- 99 Press Release issued by the Registrant on March 6, 2000. 4
1 EXHIBIT 99 CONTACT: MARC ROWLAND, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (405)879-9232 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TOM PRICE, JR.,VICE PRESIDENT- MARCH 6, 2000 CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT (405)879-9257 CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION OBTAINS DISMISSAL OF 1997 SECURITIES LITIGATION OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, MARCH 6, 2000 - Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE: CHK) today announced that the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma has dismissed the securities litigation filed in late 1997 against Chesapeake and its officers and directors and entered judgment in their favor. The litigation, which originally consisted of 12 lawsuits but which was consolidated into one purported class action in 1998, alleged the company had made material misstatements or omissions of material facts concerning its activities in the Louisiana Trend from January 25, 1996 through June 25, 1997. In dismissing the plaintiffs' amended complaint on March 3, 2000, the Court found that throughout the alleged class period, Chesapeake had disclosed to its investors the "precise risks" associated with its investments and activities in the Louisiana Trend. The court also determined that the plaintiffs had provided no factual support for their allegations of misstatements or omissions by Chesapeake. Chesapeake's Chairman and CEO, Aubrey K. McClendon, commented, "Chesapeake is pleased to have eliminated the uncertainty caused by this lawsuit. We now believe Chesapeake's present and prospective shareholders can evaluate the company and its value-added natural gas development program without distraction in what is likely to be a long-term trend of significant profitability in our sector." Chesapeake Energy Corporation is one of the 15 largest independent natural gas producers in the U.S. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company's operations are focused on developmental and exploratory drilling and property acquisitions in the Mid-Continent region of the United States. The company's Internet address is www.chkenergy.com. 5