Governor Greg Abbott has voiced support for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner’s decision to launch a federal investigation into the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) over possible violations of the Fair Housing Act.
“‘EPIC City,’ now known as ‘The Meadow,’ was marketed as an exclusively ‘Muslim community’ intended to serve as ‘the epicenter of Islam in America,’” said Governor Abbott. “Last year, I directed the Texas Workforce Commission to investigate EPIC and any affiliated entities for violations of the Texas Fair Housing Act. After a thorough investigation, Commission staff later filed a detailed complaint, which HUD has now accepted for federal investigation. I support HUD Secretary Scott Turner’s efforts to hold EPIC and its affiliates accountable to our anti-discrimination laws. Together, we will hold anyone involved in violating the law accountable. The Meadow will remain just that—an empty field.”
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, headquartered in Austin at the State Insurance Building, has taken various actions against EPIC and its affiliates in recent months. These include compelling EPIC to acknowledge they lacked proper authority for construction or development through action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; referring findings about potential securities law violations to the Attorney General by the Texas State Securities Board; issuing a cease-and-desist letter from the Texas Funeral Service Commission regarding illegal funeral operations; and ongoing investigations by the Texas Rangers into possible criminal activities.
Governor Abbott’s administration has emphasized its commitment to upholding state and federal laws, including anti-discrimination statutes. The governor’s office, led by Greg Abbott since his election in 2014, is recognized for focusing on job creation, economic opportunities, education improvement, protection of individual liberties, parental empowerment in schools, and border security according to its official website. The office also delivers services across Texas and contributed to record employment levels statewide.
Greg Abbott was named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 as noted by his official website.
