Rigzone Founder Accuses DHI Group of Spreading Alleged False Statements

HOUSTON, Nov. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Oilpro CEO David Kent says rival company Rigzone published false statements and refused to publish a correction.

According to a formal proceeding to conduct a deposition of Rigzone executives, Kent said Rigzone posted an account of criminal proceedings against him that falsely claimed he "pled guilty to stealing more than 700,000 customer accounts from Rigzone's database." Kent's request, known as a Rule 202 petition, also alleges that Rigzone ignored him when he sought a correction to the website account.

The petition also notes that "Rigzone's defamatory statements have been perpetuated by other news sources, and "that the subsequent press has further spread Rigzone's false claims that Kent stole customer accounts" (emphasis added).

As outlined in the petition, Kent asserts Oilpro suffered significant damages after the false information was published:

"The month Rigzone published the Article was Oilpro's worst revenue month on record. And, ultimately, the bad press caused by the Article made Oilpro essentially worthless, resulting in the loss of an investment exceeding $6 million" (emphasis added).

To date, DHI management has refused to retract, correct, or otherwise take down any disputed statements and mischaracterizations involving Kent or Oilpro.

SOURCE David Kent