Third Lawsuit Over Project Camellia Alleges Fraud, Conspiracy Over OpenAI Data Center in Effingham County
Residents have filed a third lawsuit challenging Project Camellia, a proposed OpenAI data center development in Effingham County. The complaint alleges that county officials, the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority and private companies secretly coordinated land sales, zoning changes and financial incentives while limiting public participation, and it seeks damages under Georgia’s civil RICO law.
Three Effingham County residents—Michelle Finch-Mincey, Lehman Mincey Jr. and Raymond Carver—filed a 44-page lawsuit against OpenAI-related entities, county officials and the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority over Project Camellia. The complaint alleges that confidential negotiations, nondisclosure agreements, private meetings and the use of a private land agent enabled the parties to arrange the proposed data center campus before residents were informed or given meaningful opportunities to participate.
The suit challenges the transfer of about 1,440 acres to OpenAI affiliate Octans GA LLC, the approval of a project memorandum of understanding involving up to $20 billion in investment, and tax incentives and other benefits. It also alleges that a 2026 zoning ordinance allowed data center development on industrially zoned property without individualized conditional-use hearings, and that officials failed to disclose potential conflicts involving Georgia Power, which is expected to supply 3.2 gigawatts of electricity.
The plaintiffs accuse the defendants of fraud, conspiracy, concealment, public corruption and violations of Georgia’s civil RICO statute. They cite concerns about the project’s effects on property values, water, wetlands, roads, noise and electrical infrastructure, and seek compensatory and punitive damages, treble damages and legal fees. The defendants’ conduct described in the complaint remains allegations and has not been established by a court.