Governor Greg Abbott has suspended all construction on the 402-acre EPIC City development near Josephine, Texas, amid sweeping criminal and civil rights investigations involving state and federal agencies.
Governor Greg Abbott announced Sunday that the State of Texas has officially halted all construction related to the controversial 402-acre EPIC City development near Josephine, citing a growing number of investigations — including multiple criminal probes — into the project and its developers.
“Texas has halted any construction of EPIC City. There is no construction taking place,” Abbott stated. “The state of Texas has launched about a half dozen investigations into this project. That includes criminal investigations.” He added that the U.S. Department of Justice is also conducting a federal inquiry.
The EPIC City project, spearheaded by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) and its for-profit partner Community Capital Partners, was pitched as a sprawling, master-planned Muslim community with residential housing, schools, senior care, and recreational facilities. However, state officials say the project failed to obtain legally required permits and is now under review for potential illegal operations and violations of Texas law.
“The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality found that the group behind the proposed EPIC compound did not submit the required permits to begin construction,” Abbott said. “They must confirm within seven days that they are immediately ceasing any construction of their illegal project or face the full weight of the law.”
A video posted by activist John Ferguson on X claims developers are seeking local taxpayer funding to cover the costs of the project. Ferguson also warns that the development is designed to operate under Sharia law.
The state’s response has been multifaceted. A press release from Abbott’s office lists an expansive list of ongoing investigations:
The Texas Rangers are conducting a criminal probe.
The Texas Workforce Commission is investigating possible religious discrimination in violation of the Texas Fair Housing Act.
The Texas State Securities Board is assessing potential financial violations.
The Texas Funeral Service Commission issued a cease-and-desist order over unauthorized funeral operations.
The Attorney General of Texas is reviewing consumer protection law violations.
Further escalation came after U.S. Senator John Cornyn requested federal involvement, prompting the Department of Justice to open a civil rights investigation. “Religious discrimination and Sharia Law have no home in Texas,” Cornyn stated.
The project has generated fierce debate, with critics alleging that it promotes separatism and could violate state and federal laws, while supporters claim it represents religious freedom and community development. EPIC’s legal counsel, Dan Cogdell, said the initiative is compliant with all applicable laws and is being unfairly targeted based on religion. He argued that similar scrutiny would not be applied to developments centered on Christian churches or Jewish synagogues.
At present, EPIC City remains under a full construction halt, with state and federal authorities actively investigating legal, financial, environmental, and civil rights dimensions of the project.
