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CBS News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
DOJ ends investigation into Muslim-centered EPIC City project in North Texas
The U.S. Department of Justice has officially closed its investigation into EPIC City, a proposed Muslim-centered community in North Texas. The project is affiliated with the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), one of the largest mosques in the region. The DOJ's decision comes after U.S. Sen. John Cornyn raised concerns about potential religious discrimination tied to the development. Attorney calls probe political Dan Cogdell, a criminal defense attorney representing both EPIC and the EPIC City organizers, called the investigation politically motivated. "Several politicians have tried to pervert these so-called investigations for their political benefit," Cogdell said. "Ultimately, I think it will backfire." He added that the DOJ's decision to drop the case is a win for the project and reaffirmed that the development will move forward. Community Capital Partners EPIC City still under state review EPIC City is planned for 400 acres in Josephine, pending approval from Collin County Commissioners. The developers, Community Capital Partners, say the community will be open to people of all faiths. However, the project still faces at least three ongoing investigations from state agencies, including the Texas Attorney General's Office and the Texas Workforce Commission. "Never in 42 years of practicing criminal defense have I seen the number and absurdity of the accusations lodged here," Cogdell said. "We will comply fully and completely." New law targets religious developments Last week, Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 4211, which his office says is designed to prevent developments like EPIC City from creating "no-go zones" by restricting land sales or rentals based on religious affiliation. Despite the bill's implications, Dan Cogdell, attorney for EPIC City, said the development supports the legislation. "Anyone is welcome to buy and live there," Cogdell said. "This is nothing more than a political opportunity for Abbott and others to claim they defeated an evil that never existed." CBS News Texas reached out to Rep. Candy Noble, the bill's author, for comment but has not yet received a response. In a statement, Andrew Mahaleris, press secretary for Gov. Abbott, said: "Governor Abbott was proud to sign HB 4211 into law last week to 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. Texas will continue to defend our communities from any threats posed by EPIC City or other entities seeking to create a discriminatory or illegal compound, and we will continue to monitor this proposed development for compliance with all Texas laws." Project delayed but still moving forward EPIC City organizers say they are still in the planning phase and have not yet submitted a permit application to the county. However, they admit the ongoing state investigations have delayed progress by several months. "Community Capital Partners is committed to building an inclusive community that follows the guidelines of the Fair Housing Act and we are glad the DOJ found that to be true in their investigation," Cogdell said.
New York Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
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.'
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE It's America's most feared city, and it's not even built. Now the sick views of 'hate preacher' behind a Muslim enclave have been exposed... and YOU are helping fund it
Taxpayers have for years funded a controversial religious group that plans to build a Muslim city in the Texas heartlands, the Daily Mail can reveal. The city of Plano, Texas, has quietly handed over $220,000 to the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) and its hardline 'hate preacher' Yasir Qadhi, its resident scholar, official filings show.
CBS News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Federal probe started into Muslim-centered community EPIC City, Sen. Cornyn says
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 north of 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. Muslim-centered development sparks controversy and investigation In March, the proposed development got the attention of state lawmakers and prompted an investigation by Attorney General Ken Paxton. Called "EPIC City," the planned community could be built on top of 400 acres near Josephine between Collin and Hunt counties. Its website describes it as "a community aimed at serving the needs of the Muslim community" and includes 1,000 homes, a K-12 faith-based school, a mosque, apartments, shops, and even a community college. Gov. Greg Abbott posted to X in March: "The proposed community will never see the light of day." 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. EPIC City Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Allen) wrote a letter to Paxton in February saying, "Reports indicate that this large-scale real estate development may seek to incorporate elements of Sharia law into its operations. We must ensure that no entity attempts to circumvent state law under the guise of cultural or religious accommodation." According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Sharia law is a "framework for personal conduct and moral guidance," but the regulation of the law varies depending on the person and county. Abbott recently said on X: "To be clear, Sharia law is not allowed in Texas. Nor are Sharia cities." "Just the fact that this neighborhood or community would be predominantly Muslim, that is not illegal," civil rights attorney James Roberts said. Roberts said the state has a right to investigate if EPIC City is violating state laws. "There have been other communities, religious communities that have had to deal with zoning ordinances and things of that nature, [where the city or state] says where they can and can't place religious facilities," Roberts said. "[The communities] won those lawsuits because that is a substantial burden on their religious freedoms." Texas launches investigations into EPIC City The state launched five investigations into EPIC City, as well as East Plano Islamic Center and investment group Community Capital Partners, which is heading the project. "I think this is just adding more fuel to the fire. And, you know, I'm not happy about that," said Texas State Rep. Salman Bhojani, D-District 92. EPIC City Bhojani is the first Muslim elected official in Texas history and said the attack on the project is a violation of religious freedom. Dan Cogdell, an attorney for EPIC City who defended Paxton in his 2023 impeachment trial in which the state Senate acquitted him, 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 were 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. Federal investigation The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment or to confirm Cornyn's announcement.
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Greg Abbott Says All Construction Halted for Muslim 'EPIC City'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the state has stopped all construction on "EPIC City," a proposed Muslim-themed development backed by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC). EPIC officials have repeatedly denied claims that the town would violate state law, or operate under Islamic legal systems. Despite that, the project is under scrutiny from multiple agencies, with Abbott saying the development faces "a half dozen investigations". Newsweek contacted the East Plano Islamic Center for a response to the governor's comments via email. The Context The development proposal, dubbed "EPIC City," covers 402 acres in Collin and Hunt counties. It has drawn backlash from Texas officials, including Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, who have accused organizers of potential legal violations. Abbott previously wrote in March that "legislators are considering laws to restrict it, as well as laws to prevent foreign adversaries from buying land in Texas." What To Know On Sunday, Abbott said that his office had suspended the construction of EPIC City, which gets its name from the acronym of the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC). The governor wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Texas has halted any construction of EPIC City. There is no construction taking place. The state of Texas has launched about a half dozen investigations into this project. That includes criminal investigations. "And, the US Department of Justice is also investigating. This matter, and similar matters, are taken very seriously, and actions are being taken to address all concerns." Left: Greg Abbott speaks during a bill signing in the State Capitol on April 23, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Right: concept art of EPIC city. Left: Greg Abbott speaks during a bill signing in the State Capitol on April 23, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Right: concept art of EPIC city. EPIC/Getty Images EPIC City was planned to include over 1,000 homes, a mosque, a faith-based school, and a community college. The project is led by Community Capital Partners, created by EPIC to manage the development. Organizers say the community will fully comply with state and federal laws, and deny any intent to establish Sharia law, contrary to Abbott's public statements. In February, Abbott posted: "Sharia law is not allowed in Texas." In March, Texas authorities sent a cease-and-desist letter to EPIC demanding it stop funeral services, citing a lack of licensing. Paxton's office also issued a Civil Investigative Demand to Community Capital Partners. Last Friday, Texas Senator John Cornyn said that the Department of Justice had responded to his call to investigate potential "religious discrimination" at Epic City. "I am grateful to Attorney General Bondi and the Department of Justice for hearing my concerns and opening an investigation into the proposed EPIC City development in North Texas," Cornyn said. "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." What People Are Saying Mustafaa Carroll, executive director of the Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told Newsweek: "Texas Governor Abbott and Attorney General Ken chosen to abuse their power by launching groundless 'investigations' against EPIC. "Instead of acting like true public servants and leaders, they have chosen to add fuel to the fire by disseminating hateful misinformation." In a Facebook post, the East Plano Islamic Center said: "We are regularly receiving hate calls and death threats. Our mosque leaders' personal home addresses have been shared, jeopardizing the safety of families." What Happens Next The EPIC City proposal remains in its early phases, and no formal planning application has yet been submitted. It is unclear how the investigations, cease-and-desist actions, and mounting political opposition will impact the project's future.
