Bankrupt driller accused of fraud

A group of MTE Holdings creditors want its chief executive officer — real estate developer Mark Siffin — replaced by a court-appointed official amid accusations of fraud and mismanagement at the bankrupt oil driller.

Three stakeholders in the Chapter 11 case — Natixis SA, Riverstone Credit Management LLC and a group of drilling service providers — have asked Judge Christopher Sontchi to appoint a trustee to replace Siffin during bankruptcy.

Lawyers for Natixis criticized MTE’s operating subsidiary, MDC Energy LLC, in court papers for “a near complete lack of transparency” and “gross mismanagement,” while Riverstone alleged MTE leadership has “exhibited fraud, dishonesty, and incompetence.”

The U.S. Trustee, the Department of Justice’s bankruptcy watchdog, is also requesting a trustee in the MTE case, saying that “management have shown that they cannot be trusted” to carry out the fiduciary duties required in Chapter 11.

Siffin and lawyers for MTE didn’t respond to requests for comment.

The groups have voiced concern about millions of dollars in cash allegedly transferred out of MDC in the months before its bankruptcy, including $8.5 million in consulting fees to Siffin, according to Riverstone’s court documents.

MTE and affiliates filed for bankruptcy in October when Riverstone tried to rejigger leadership of the company after it defaulted on $400 million of debt.

MTE’s failure to disclose the consulting fees is “extremely troubling” if proven to be true, lawyers for service providers like Alamo Pressure Pumping LLC and Anchor Drilling Fluids USA Inc. wrote in court papers.