Vinita theme park backer claims he was duped out of $60 million for failed project

[Beartracks]

Vinita theme park backer claims he was duped out of $60 million for failed project

The financial backer of the proposed $2 billion American Heartland theme park in Vinita has sued three individuals associated with the development, claiming the project failed after the three bilked him out of $60 million in part by sending encouraging texts and emails to him that purported to come from God.

-snip-

“Silanskas and Wilhite executed a predatory conspiracy of psychological manipulation — convincing Gene, through fraud and impersonation, that God himself was commanding him both to finance the park’s construction and to grant Silanskas and Wilhite two-third ownership over the completed venture, which was to be worth $2 billion,” the lawsuit states.

-snip-

Their efforts included sending Bicknell anonymous texts and emails that pretended to come from God and another religious figure.

-snip-

“And after years of conning Gene out of more than $60 million and spending all of that money, including on themselves and their family members, defendants constructed nothing more than a fence and a gravel road,” referring to the Craig County site where the groundbreaking took place.

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Link to article; requires Tulsa World subscription.
https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/crime-courts/article_c8c6bacd-1cb5-4b8d-8ea4-f1fa2ff340e6.html

Gene Bicknell is 92 years old and built his fortune as owner of the world’s largest Pizza Hut franchise, as well as Mansion Entertainment in Branson, MO.

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[czarjak]

1. F-N Okies!

[Botany]

2. Oh well

FAFO. If somebody tells you that God wants you to spend your money on them they are
lying. BTW a theme park in Vinita, Oklahoma?

[Grins]

5. Population 5,300.... NM

[RandySF]

3. How greedy must one be

to blow $60 million on a theme park investment?

[Beartracks]

7. I did find myself wondering how long it might take to recoup that investment?

I mean, sure, Vinita is on a very well-traveled stretch of Interstate, but it's not a huge tourist destination already nor a population center.

I wonder if Bicknell thought he could start a new Branson?

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[CanonRay]

4. That's 60 mil the Republicans won't get

or some televangelist.

[Grins]

6. I've heard of putting hands on tv screens to connect with the Jebus...

…but getting texts and emails from God is a new one!