American Heartland investor files fraud lawsuit against developers
VINITA, Okla. (KFOR) — The future of the American Heartland theme park looks bleak after an investor filed a lawsuit against the developers for fraud.
It was promised as 'Disney in the Heartland' after the $2 billion theme park was announced two years ago in Vinita; however, construction on the park never happened, and the new lawsuit may just be the fatal blow.
The man who financed the project, Gene Bicknell, is now suing the developers, with the court filings revealing that the developers allegedly manipulated Bicknell into investing $61 million into the project.
The lawsuit claims that not only was Bicknell cheated, but the entire City of Vinita was also affected, as property values and taxes increased in anticipation of a major theme park.
A nearby business owner, who declined an offer from developers to purchase his property, says no one is surprised by the lawsuit and that he had been skeptical since the beginning.
"I don't think it would have raised our economy any around here. I think if anything, it probably would have hurt the economy because it would have rose all the prices up on everything. Food, shelter, basic amenities would all go up," said Kevin Pece, owner of a cafe in Vinita. "When you take people's money, that's what happens. You can't just take people's money and promise 'em something and not give it to 'em."
His cafe remains open just a few miles away.
Everyone named in the lawsuit, including Bicknell, has not responded to requests for comment.