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contentious battle is brewing in Irving, Texas, where a local resident has filed a petition alleging that the city's chamber of commerce and Las Vegas Sands engaged in a secretive plot to acquire prime city-owned land. Ada Pimentel, an Irving resident, is seeking pre-suit discovery from the chamber, claiming they conspired to misuse public funds and breach their fiduciary duty.

    The disputed land in question is the former Texas Stadium site, which Pimentel's petition describes as "Irving's crown jewel." The Sands proposal for this site has been met with resistance from local groups, who fear it could become the largest casino in the world if allowed to expand. Despite public backlash, Sands has already rezoned a significant portion of adjacent land and owns over 200 acres nearby.

    The chamber and Sands have denied any wrongdoing, with Beth Bowman, the chamber's CEO, calling the allegations "baseless and factually erroneous." However, Pimentel's petition points to letters sent by the chamber and city to the Texas Attorney General's Office, requesting that certain records be withheld from public release. The filing also alleges breach of contract and fraud.

    This latest development comes as three city council seats are up for election in a highly contested local vote. The Texas Anti-Predatory Gaming Alliance, a group opposed to the Sands proposal, has been actively campaigning against it. Pimentel's petition is seen as a significant blow to the project, which has already faced intense scrutiny and opposition from local residents.