Latest news with #Cogdell
San Francisco Chronicle
26-06-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Justice Department closes investigation into Muslim-centered community near Dallas
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice has closed a federal civil rights investigation into a Muslim-centered planned community around one of the state's largest mosques near Dallas without filing any charges or lawsuits. The Justice Department had opened the investigation after U.S. Sen. John Cornyn called for it, arguing that the development could discriminate against Christian and Jews. The developers of the proposed EPIC City community tied to the East Plano Islamic Center, have complained they are being bullied by multiple federal and state investigations because they are Muslim. A June 13 Justice Department letter to Community Capital Partners, the group developing the project, noted the department is closing the investigation. 'CCP has affirmed that all will be welcome in any future development,' the letter said. The group wrote that they plan to revise and develop marketing materials to reinforce that message. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment further. The letter was first reported Wednesday by the Dallas Morning News. Community Capital Partners had said the development would adhere to the Fair Housing Act and any other state and federal guidelines, and that the community would be open to members of all religions. The federal investigation had escalated pressure on the proposed EPIC City, which has faced steady criticism and multiple investigations. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and other GOP state officials have claimed the group is trying to create a community that excludes non-Muslims and would impose Islamic law on residents. The developers have said they are not seeking to impose religion on anyone, and that the community would follow state and federal law. Among its chief critics has been the state's hard-right Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is challenging Cornyn for his Senate seat in 2026. Dan Cogdell, an attorney for EPIC City who defended Paxton in his 2023 impeachment trial when he was acquitted by the state Senate, noted how quickly federal officials had wrapped up their probe. None of the investigations would be happening if the community was planned around a Christian church or Jewish temple, Cogdell said. 'The false accusations that have been swirling around the development were based solely on misinformation, lies and false rumors,' Cogdell said. 'Frankly, the politicians that have repeated them without ever bothering to look at any fact should be embarrassed.' The state investigations include whether the development is violating financial and fair housing laws and whether funeral practices at the mosque were done legally. The status of those investigations remained unclear Wednesday. Cogdell said the developers will cooperate with anyone who asks. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has criticized the federal and state probes as bullying the Muslim community and a violation of constitutionally protected religious expression. 'We welcome the dropping of this investigation and hope the DOJ's actions send a clear message to the governor and other officials in Texas that they should similarly drop their Islamophobic witch hunt targeting Muslims in that state,' said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. Plans for the mixed-used development include more than 1,000 homes and apartments, a faith-based school for kindergarten through 12th grade, a community college, assisted living for older residents and athletics fields.
Hamilton Spectator
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Justice Department closes investigation into Muslim-centered community near Dallas
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice has closed a federal civil rights investigation into a Muslim-centered planned community around one of the state's largest mosques near Dallas without filing any charges or lawsuits. The Justice Department had opened the investigation after U.S. Sen. John Cornyn called for it, arguing that the development could discriminate against Christian and Jews. The developers of the proposed EPIC City community tied to the East Plano Islamic Center, have complained they are being bullied by multiple federal and state investigations because they are Muslim. A June 13 Justice Department letter to Community Capital Partners, the group developing the project, noted the department is closing the investigation. 'CCP has affirmed that all will be welcome in any future development,' the letter said. The group wrote that they plan to revise and develop marketing materials to reinforce that message. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment further. The letter was first reported Wednesday by the Dallas Morning News. Community Capital Partners had said the development would adhere to the Fair Housing Act and any other state and federal guidelines, and that the community would be open to members of all religions. The federal investigation had escalated pressure on the proposed EPIC City, which has faced steady criticism and multiple investigations. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and other GOP state officials have claimed the group is trying to create a community that excludes non-Muslims and would impose Islamic law on residents. The developers have said they are not seeking to impose religion on anyone, and that the community would follow state and federal law. Among its chief critics has been the state's hard-right Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is challenging Cornyn for his Senate seat in 2026. Dan Cogdell, an attorney for EPIC City who defended Paxton in his 2023 impeachment trial when he was acquitted by the state Senate , noted how quickly federal officials had wrapped up their probe. None of the investigations would be happening if the community was planned around a Christian church or Jewish temple, Cogdell said. 'The false accusations that have been swirling around the development were based solely on misinformation, lies and false rumors,' Cogdell said. 'Frankly, the politicians that have repeated them without ever bothering to look at any fact should be embarrassed.' The state investigations include whether the development is violating financial and fair housing laws and whether funeral practices at the mosque were done legally. The status of those investigations remained unclear Wednesday. Cogdell said the developers will cooperate with anyone who asks. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has criticized the federal and state probes as bullying the Muslim community and a violation of constitutionally protected religious expression. 'We welcome the dropping of this investigation and hope the DOJ's actions send a clear message to the governor and other officials in Texas that they should similarly drop their Islamophobic witch hunt targeting Muslims in that state,' said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. Plans for the mixed-used development include more than 1,000 homes and apartments, a faith-based school for kindergarten through 12th grade, a community college, assisted living for older residents and athletics fields. The project may take years to finish. The developers have said they will not even start the initial permitting process for several more months. EPIC City would be near the community of Josephine, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Dallas. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Justice Department closes investigation into Muslim-centered community near Dallas
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice has closed a federal civil rights investigation into a Muslim-centered planned community around one of the state's largest mosques near Dallas without filing any charges or lawsuits. The Justice Department had opened the investigation after U.S. Sen. John Cornyn called for it, arguing that the development could discriminate against Christian and Jews. The developers of the proposed EPIC City community tied to the East Plano Islamic Center, have complained they are being bullied by multiple federal and state investigations because they are Muslim. A June 13 Justice Department letter to Community Capital Partners, the group developing the project, noted the department is closing the investigation. 'CCP has affirmed that all will be welcome in any future development,' the letter said. The group wrote that they plan to revise and develop marketing materials to reinforce that message. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment further. The letter was first reported Wednesday by the Dallas Morning News. Community Capital Partners had said the development would adhere to the Fair Housing Act and any other state and federal guidelines, and that the community would be open to members of all religions. The federal investigation had escalated pressure on the proposed EPIC City, which has faced steady criticism and multiple investigations. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and other GOP state officials have claimed the group is trying to create a community that excludes non-Muslims and would impose Islamic law on residents. The developers have said they are not seeking to impose religion on anyone, and that the community would follow state and federal law. Among its chief critics has been the state's hard-right Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is challenging Cornyn for his Senate seat in 2026. Dan Cogdell, an attorney for EPIC City who defended Paxton in his 2023 impeachment trial when he was acquitted by the state Senate, noted how quickly federal officials had wrapped up their probe. None of the investigations would be happening if the community was planned around a Christian church or Jewish temple, Cogdell said. 'The false accusations that have been swirling around the development were based solely on misinformation, lies and false rumors,' Cogdell said. 'Frankly, the politicians that have repeated them without ever bothering to look at any fact should be embarrassed.' The state investigations include whether the development is violating financial and fair housing laws and whether funeral practices at the mosque were done legally. The status of those investigations remained unclear Wednesday. Cogdell said the developers will cooperate with anyone who asks. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has criticized the federal and state probes as bullying the Muslim community and a violation of constitutionally protected religious expression. 'We welcome the dropping of this investigation and hope the DOJ's actions send a clear message to the governor and other officials in Texas that they should similarly drop their Islamophobic witch hunt targeting Muslims in that state,' said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. Plans for the mixed-used development include more than 1,000 homes and apartments, a faith-based school for kindergarten through 12th grade, a community college, assisted living for older residents and athletics fields. The project may take years to finish. The developers have said they will not even start the initial permitting process for several more months. EPIC City would be near the community of Josephine, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Dallas.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Muslim-centered EPIC City now under DOJ investigation, Sen. Cornyn says
The Brief The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into EPIC City, according to Senator John Cornyn. Some Texas leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott, have raised concerns the proposed community could try to enforce Sharia law. A lawyer for EPIC City says the community is being racially profiled. JOSEPHINE, Texas - The Department of Justice is investigating a proposed Dallas-area community centered around a mosque, according to Senator John Cornyn. Several Texas officials have brought up concerns about the planned community in Josephine, claiming the group behind the community is trying to create a Muslim-exclusive community that would make residents follow Islamic law. Cornyn requested a DOJ investigation into EPIC City last month, bringing up concerns that the community could discriminate based on faith. Senator Cornyn announced that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is opening the investigation. What they're saying "Religious discrimination and Sharia Law have no place in the Lone Star State. Any violations of federal law must be swiftly prosecuted, and I know under the Trump administration, they will be," Cornyn said in a statement. The other side EPIC City and Community Capital Partners Inc. (CCP) hired high-profile attorney Dan Cogdell in April to represent them in Texas investigations over the financial and free housing laws and whether the mosque has conducted illegal funerals. Cogdell called the investigations a result of "racial profiling." The lawyer says the developers have "done nothing illegal and we will cooperate fully with all investigations-regardless of how misguided and unnecessary they are." Cogdell says none of the investigations would be happening if the community was planned around a church or temple. "These folks are US Citizens, law-abiding and Texans," he said. Cogdell called claims from some, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, that EPIC is trying to enforce Sharia law "dangerous." The backstory EPIC City is a planned development near Josephine, Texas, in Collin and Hunt counties about 40 miles northeast of Dallas. According to the development's website, it will feature a new mosque, single- and multifamily homes, a community college, schools, businesses, a school and parks. Developers told Collin County commissioners that the development was still in the planning stage, and they weren't ready to apply for permits. The development sold out its first phase of development, around 500 lots, within six months. Developers are still accepting investors for the second phase of the development. "The vision for EPIC City is simple," CCP President Imran Chaudhary said. "We want to build an inclusive community, one in which people of every background, faith, and culture can live together in harmony." EPIC Ranches is another development near EPIC City that offers larger plot sizes of up to an acre and townhome sites that are about a half mile away from EPIC City. Dig deeper In addition to Cornyn, EPIC City has drawn the attention of Governor Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton and other Texas leaders. EPIC City has drawn the attention of Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton and other Texas leaders. The developers and East Plano Islamic Center have also been targeted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality who sent a letter to CCP about the permits required to create a municipal utility district. Gov. Greg Abbott has also asked the Texas Rangers to investigate the mosque and related businesses. In a post about EPIC City on social media, Abbott commented"Sharia law is not allowed in Texas." The mosque was also sent a letter from the Texas Funeral Service Commission and has drawn the attention of the Texas Workforce Commission. The Source Information in this article comes from statements made by Sen. John Cornyn. The Associated Press received statements from EPIC lawyer Dan Cogdell. Information on EPIC City and previous investigations come from past FOX 4 coverage, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
San Francisco Chronicle
12-05-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Sen. Cornyn of Texas says federal probe started into Muslim-centered community near Dallas
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a federal civil rights investigation into a Muslim-centered planned community around one of the state's largest mosques near Dallas, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said Friday. Cornyn requested the federal probe of the development last month, citing concerns it could discriminate against Christians and Jews. He announced in a post on X that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi had notified him of the investigation. The developers of the proposed planned community tied to the East Plano Islamic Center, which has not yet been built, have said they are being bullied because they are Muslim. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment or to confirm Cornyn's announcement. A federal probe would further escalate pressure on the proposed EPIC City, which is already facing mounting criticism and multiple investigations from Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and other GOP state officials who claim the group is trying to create a Muslim-exclusive community that would impose Islamic law on residents. Among its chief critics is the state's hard-right Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is challenging Cornyn for his Senate seat in 2026. 'Religious discrimination and Sharia Law have no home in Texas," Cornyn, of Texas, wrote in his post on X. 'Any violations of federal law must be swiftly prosecuted, and I know under (President Donald Trump's) administration, they will be.' Dan Cogdell, an attorney for EPIC City who defended Paxton in his 2023 impeachment trial when he was acquitted by the state Senate, said the developers have 'done nothing illegal and we will cooperate fully with all investigations-regardless of how misguided and unnecessary they are.' The state investigations include whether the development is violating financial and fair housing laws and whether the mosque has conducted illegal funerals. Cogdell has said none of the investigations would be happening if the community was planned around a church or temple. The attacks on the project about Islamic law and other claims 'are not only completely without merit and totally misleading but they are dangerous as well,' Cogdell said Friday. 'These folks are US Citizens, law abiding and Texans.' The Council on American-Islamic Relations in the Dallas area also has criticized the state probes as bullying the Muslim community and a violation of constitutionally protected religious expression.
