Governor Greg Abbott has taken a step to ignite the furnace of the legal machinery of Texas against the East Plano Islamic Center. As reported by the Office of the Texas Governor, Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to open a criminal investigation into East Plano Islamic Center, citing "potential criminal activities" as the reason for this oversight. "Texas is a law-and-order state, and those scheming to evade law enforcement scrutiny must know justice is awaiting them," Abbott said. "That is why I directed the Texas Rangers to fully investigate the group behind the proposed EPIC compound for potentially violating criminal law."
The Texas Rangers are investigating East Plano Islamic Center and its affiliates for possible criminal violations. Several state agencies are involved, and any charges found will be passed to prosecutors for further action. Last week, the Governor revealed that a dozen state agencies are looking into possible illegal activities by East Plano Islamic Center, sparking questions among the community, as reported by the Office of the Texas Governor.
Not stopping at the criminal investigation, the Texas Workforce Commission is probing East Plano Islamic Center for possible discriminatory practices in breach of the Texas Fair Housing Act, according to the Office of the Texas Governor official statement. The Texas State Securities Board is equally delving into the activities of East Plano Islamic Center to unearth any financial harm they may have cast upon Texans. In a sweeping show of regulatory might, the Texas Funeral Service Commission has also sent a cease-and-desist letter to East Plano Islamic Center, ordering the immediate cessation of all illegal funeral service operations. The implications of this level of scrutiny hint at a rigorous examination of East Plano Islamic Center's day-to-day functions.
The Texas Attorney General is now looking into possible violations of consumer protection laws by East Plano Islamic Center and its related groups. As multiple state agencies investigate, a bigger question is emerging about the relationship between government oversight and religious centers in Texas. Whether or not these investigations find wrongdoing, they will create a clear divide between civil organizations and the state.
