D.O.J. Ends Inquiry of Housing Development by Texas Muslims
The Justice Department has quietly closed a short-lived investigation into a planned housing development in Texas with a mosque at its center, saying the developers had pledged to abide by federal fair-housing laws.
The project, known as EPIC City, drew scrutiny from Republican activists and Texas leaders, who earlier this year accused its promoters of trying to create a community that would discriminate against non-Muslims and give Islamic law precedence over state and federal law.
The state's governor, Greg Abbott, and attorney general, Ken Paxton, both Republicans, ordered a series of investigations into the developers and the East Plano Islamic Center, a mosque in Plano whose members were backing the project. The Trump administration soon followed with its own investigation a few weeks ago after a request from Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who is facing a fierce challenge from Mr. Paxton in the state's Republican primary.
The Justice Department's decision to close its investigation appeared to put the Trump administration at odds with state leaders over the legality of the project, which is planned for a 400-acre field outside of Josephine, a small community northeast of Dallas. Its backers have insisted no laws were broken.
In a letter dated June 13, the Justice Department said that the developer, Community Capital Partners, had 'affirmed that all will be welcome in any future development' and had promised to revise its marketing materials to 'reinforce that message.'
'Based on this information, the department is closing its investigation at this time,' Harmeet K. Dhillon, an assistant attorney general in the Justice Department's civil rights division, said in the letter to the developer.
Dan Cogdell, a lawyer representing the project, welcomed the quick resolution.
'All of the investigations spawn from the imagination of Governor Abbott,' Mr. Cogdell said. 'I've said since day one, there's no there, there. We're appreciative of a quick resolution and we expect more to come.'
The offices of Mr. Cornyn and Mr. Paxton did not respond to requests for comment.
A spokesman for Mr. Abbott, Andrew Mahaleris, noted that a bill signed into law by the governor last week would 'ensure developments like EPIC City are unable to create 'no-go zones' by selling or renting land only to individuals who subscribe to a developer's religious preference.'
He said the state would 'continue to monitor this proposed development for compliance with all Texas laws.'
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