Judge recuses herself in Birmingham AI data center lawsuit, forcing trial to restart
A judge recused herself in a legal battle concerning a proposed AI data center in Birmingham, Alabama, causing the trial to restart. Residents living near the Oxmoor Valley area are suing the city and the construction company, Nebius, arguing the facility is illegally under construction on unauthorized property and causing noise.
A legal battle surrounding a proposed AI data center in Birmingham, Alabama, faced a significant setback when Judge Tamara Johnson recused herself from the case.
The decision by Judge Johnson, made less than an hour after three days of testimony, means the entire trial will have to restart under a new judge. The recusal came after an attorney for Nebius, the company involved, requested it due to Judge Johnson's past professional relationship with the plaintiffs' attorney.
Two residents living near the Oxmoor Valley area initially sued the City of Birmingham and Nebius last month. They contend that the AI factory is being illegally constructed on property not authorized for such a facility and are seeking immediate relief from the noise generated by the ongoing construction near their homes. While the defendants' attorneys appeared pleased with the recusal, the plaintiffs expressed discouragement. No new judge or restart date has been announced, and construction at the site continues during this delay.