Lansing official who opposed data center faces legal action
A Lansing resident has filed a 135-page petition in state Supreme Court against town board member and deputy supervisor Joe Wetmore, alleging he misused his position to block a proposed 150-megawatt artificial intelligence data center and other projects. The petition claims Wetmore used private email channels for town business, failed to preserve records, and manipulated municipal processes to oppose the data center. The town board has voted to fund Wetmore's legal defense with taxpayer money, though an amendment requires him to reimburse the town if found guilty.
Lauren Baker, a Lansing resident, has initiated legal action against Lansing Town Board member and Deputy Town Supervisor Joe Wetmore, alleging that he misused his official position to obstruct a proposed 150-megawatt artificial intelligence data center and other developments he personally opposed.
The 135-page petition, filed on June 17 in the state Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, seeks Wetmore’s removal from office. Baker claims Wetmore conducted town business via private email groups, failed to maintain government records, accepted undeclared outside assistance, and manipulated municipal processes to block projects, with the data center project being a primary example.
Wetmore, a vocal critic of the data center planned for the former Milliken Station power plant site, and his attorneys have denied all allegations and requested the court dismiss the case. The legal dispute quickly became a central issue at a recent town meeting, where residents debated a resolution authorizing the use of taxpayer funds for Wetmore's legal defense. The town board ultimately voted unanimously to retain Baldwinsville-based law firm Mancuso Brightman PLLC, with an amendment requiring Wetmore to reimburse the town if he is removed from office.
Baker, represented by DLA Piper (a firm that has also advised TeraWulf, the developer of the proposed Cayuga Data Campus), states her concerns are not directly tied to the project’s approval. She further alleges that Wetmore coordinated with environmental groups like FLX Strong to delay the data center and proposed a moratorium that ultimately failed to pass. She also claims he attempted to influence the Zoning Board of Appeals and planning board appointments. Wetmore declined to comment, stating the allegations are without merit and he expects the petition to be dismissed.