Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to the Collin County Commissioners Court, urging local officials to oppose plat applications by those behind the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) development called EPIC City and “The Meadow Phase 1.” The letter follows Paxton filing a lawsuit last month against Double R Municipal Utility District No. 2A of Hunt and Collin Counties after it engaged in actions seemingly evading state oversight in support of EPIC City.
Paxton’s letter encourages the commissioners court to continue rejecting the plat application as “issues relating to some of these deficiencies are the subject of active litigation brought by the State of Texas.” The letter adds, “Additionally, please be advised that my office is currently involved in separate active litigation against the individuals and business entities behind the proposed EPIC City development for violations of securities laws, including engaging in fraudulent practices while soliciting funds and failing to screen for accredited-investor status.”
Last year, Paxton launched a sweeping investigation into the development of EPIC City. The probe revealed that those closely affiliated with the development violated state and federal securities law.
“From beginning to end, the East Plano Islamic Center development has been an illegal scheme designed to circumvent state law and destroy beautiful Texas land,” Paxton said in a statement. “We must protect Texans from illegal schemes, and that’s why I’m advising the Commissioners Court to refrain from approving any new development and platting applications by the EPIC City developers.”
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also launched an investigation into the entities behind the proposed EPIC City. HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) will investigate EPIC Real Properties, Inc., and Community Capital Partners, LP, for their Muslim housing development called “The Meadow,” which is believed to have violated the Fair Housing Act through religious and national origin discrimination.
