The East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) is now the subject of a criminal investigation, as announced by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. However, specific details about the alleged violations remain undisclosed.
Abbott has ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate EPIC and its affiliated entities for potential legal infractions. Despite the announcement, his office has not clarified which laws may have been violated, nor has it responded to repeated media inquiries for more details.
Governor Abbott’s Statement
In a public statement, Abbott reaffirmed Texas’ stance on law enforcement, stating,
“Texas is a law-and-order state, and those scheming to evade scrutiny must know that justice is awaiting them. That is why I directed the Texas Rangers to fully investigate the group behind the proposed EPIC compound for potentially violating criminal law. Texas will ensure that anyone affiliated with EPIC who is breaking the law is brought to justice.”
Multiple Investigations Launched
Last week, the governor revealed on social media that a dozen state agencies were investigating EPIC and its large-scale development project, “EPIC City,” for potential illegal activities.
EPIC City is a proposed community in Josephine, Texas, located about 40 miles northeast of Dallas. The development includes:
-
A new mosque
-
Over 1,000 single-family and multi-family homes
-
A K-12 faith-based school
-
Senior housing
-
An outreach center
-
Commercial spaces
-
Sports facilities
-
A community college
Authorities have launched four separate investigations concerning:
-
Alleged violations of the Texas Fair Housing Act
-
Potential financial risks to investors
-
Possible breaches of Texas consumer protection laws
-
Reports of illegal funeral service operations
Next Steps
The Collin County Commissioners Court has scheduled a hearing to discuss the proposed project on Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, KERA News has reached out to EPIC for a statement and will update as new information becomes available.