Thanks to a heads-up via the Ogle Mole Network, we’ve learned that Continental Resources has reached a settlement deal with Robert “Spaulding” Hefner the Vth and dropped their well-publicized lawsuit against him.
This is usually the section of the article where I provide a quick recap of the lawsuit, who was involved, and what it was about—but there are so many motions, characters, and lawyers intertwined in the company’s legal revenge drama that it’s hard to keep everyone straight.
I guess the simple gist is that way back in 2022, Spaulding was part of a large group of local aspiring conspirator bros who allegedly tried to defraud Continental out of millions by illegally obtaining its data and trade secrets.
This pissed off Continental founder and CEO Lord Harold Hamm – the billionaire Oil Overlord who oversees Oklahoma’s Western Reach – who then sued everyone involved to claw back the money the company claimed it lost, and to shame, humiliate, and maybe even imprison those who dared cross him.
At first, a defiant Hefner tapped into his mom’s DNA and stubbornly denied the allegations...
"The allegations are false, and I look forward to the opportunity to address these claims."
Although he never really addressed the claims, a few years later, Spaulding lightened up and offered Continental $53,578.64 to make the whole thing go away… as long as he didn’t have to admit any fault.
Via The Oklahoman:
Offer to confess not an admission of liability for Hefner
Hefner has denied [Continental’s] fraud allegations in a filing he made on May 26.
The filing seeking to excuse Hefner and his company from the Dyer suit involves a letter that attorneys representing Hefner and his company wrote to attorney Nicholas Merkley, of GableGotwals, the attorney who filed the Dyer case on behalf of Continental Resources.
"If accepted, this offer will resolve all of Plaintiff's claims in the (Dyer) lawsuit against Hefner Energy and Robert Hefner V," the letter states. "This offer is made solely for the purpose of attempting to settle, compromise, and resolve this matter without further litigation…
The letter also states Hefner and his company made the offer without "any admission of liability," and stated the offer would expire 10 days after it was filed with the court.
Unfortunately for Spaulding, his proposal – like most things offered from a position of total weakness — was not very well received.
I guess Lord Harold really wanted an apology and admission of guilt from Spaulding – “You’re going to say you stole from me and you’re going to like it! – so the 10-day waiting period came and went like an Oklahoma spring, and everyone moved along.
Well, at least until now.
Probably due to mounting legal costs, stress and anxiety, and the fact that he was guilty, it looks like Spaulding has reversed course and reached a settlement deal with Continental.
I’m saying it “looks like” that because on February 15th, Spaulding left the following confession and apology on X. And three days later, Continental dropped their lawsuit against him.
Good news, everyone!
From here on out, Spaulding pledges to “uphold the highest standards of integrity” and ensure that “a breach of trust never occurs again.” If you’re skeptical, don’t worry—he now works in the totally legitimate and trustworthy crypto industry, so he’s very by-the-book!
Plus, Spaulding is a totally different man than he was way way way way way back in the dark ages of… 2020.
He’s matured both professionally and spiritually since then, so I guess that means I no longer have to worry about him wanting to blow me in a parking lot:
In all honesty, I get what Spaulding’s going for in his statement.
Who among us hasn’t met a 38-year-old who says, “Man, if I knew at 33 what I know now, I’d be unstoppable”? That’s the kind of deep personal growth that only comes after multiple lawsuits, a damaged family name, and the humbling experience of being owned on Twitter by a local blog.
To be clear, I don’t know the details about what Hefner and Continental agreed to in this assumed settlement.
For example, I don’t know if Spaulding had to pay any cash (or crypto) as part of the arrangement. I also don’t know how frequently he’ll have to apologize.
Based on the LinkedIn update from last month, it may be a quarterly confession for the next five years (a.k.a. the length of time it takes someone to grow and change).
Seriously, how many times is this guy going to have to publicly apologize and admit guilt to make Lord Hamm happy?
I picture the Lord perched in his corner office at Continental’s downtown tower, lights dimmed, watching Spaulding’s LinkedIn post on a massive monitor like it’s a security feed. He leans forward in his leather chair, fingers steepled, and lets out a satisfied exhale as Spaulding types the words “I’ve grown.”
A few minutes later, there’s a knock on the door. His assistant peeks in and says:
“Lord Hamm, Adam Aguilar and 3AM are here for your personal concert, sir. Shall I let them in?”
“Let them squirm a little longer,” he says, eyes locked on the screen. “Let them squirm.”
Well, at least that’s how I picture things going down.
Anyway, we wish Spaudling the best of luck on the road to maturity and responsibility; Harold Hamm the best of luck never getting mad and suing us; and you the best of luck the rest of your day.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
