SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — The developers behind a proposed entertainment hub in Sunland Park– near the state line– are suing city officials and local business owners for rejecting the project, accusing them of corruption.
According to Independent Nation LLC, the developers behind the entertainment complex and “Station X” dispensary, said they have filed a lawsuit against some city officials and 13 cannabis business owners in the area after the City Council voted to deny both the cannabis license and land approvals, putting the future of the project in jeopardy.
RELATED: Dispensary plan rejection may delay Sunland Park entertainment complex, say developers
The lawsuit accuses City Officials of corruption and some cannabis owners (such as Field of Dreams, Obi Wan Cannabis and Sun City Cannabis among others) of defaming the $35 million project with a smear campaign, after the venue was described as a strip club– something Independent Nation emphasized is false.
“This legal filing hopes to bring to light actions by council, which we believe were done outside their legal authority,” said David Bingham, co-owner of Independent Nation, in a video interview attached to the announcement.
The developers claimed City Council Daisy Lira voted against the project after her brother, dispensary owner Christian Lira, was rejected from being part of the project.
The developers said they are not attacking the City but rather want to bring to light possible conflicts of interest between council members and competitors.
“Our goal is not to attack the city; it’s to ensure decisions are made fairly and lawfully without the potential abuse of power and corruption,” Bingham said.
Through the lawsuit, Independent Nation seeks to recover some of the financial losses suffered, as well as hold the City Council accountable.
“We are confident the courts will determine that certain council members blatantly exceeded their legal authority,” Bijlani said. “The truth is not on their side, and we put our faith in the courts to remedy this costly injustice.”
RELATED: Sunland Park council crushes zoning for dispensary near state line amid fierce opposition
Lawsuit attached below:
Below are renderings of the projects as well as detailed descriptions of the venue.
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source kfoxtv.com ’
