Would you visit a theme park built by former Disney Imagineers? Well, despite what we once thought, you might not end up getting the chance.
©American Heartland
Back in 2023, we learned that a new, $2 billion theme park resort project was being developed by former Disney Imagineers in Oklahoma. However, a year passed, and we began to grow concerned about the project. And now, a key investor in the American Heartland theme park is suing the developers.
A major investor in the proposed American Heartland Theme Park has sued its developers, accusing them of defrauding him of millions of dollars, according to KOSU. Gene Bicknell, 92, has filed suit with the help of Attorneys Amelia Fogleman and Joseph Lang of GableGotwals.
©American Heartland
The suit accuses three defendants — Richard Silanskas Jr., Stephen Hedrick, and Larry Wilhite — of running a “criminal enterprise” that manipulated Bicknell into providing more than $60 million of the proposed $2.5 billion project.
A majority of the claims are against Wilhite and Silanskas, who allegedly defrauded Bicknell by “impersonating God and religious figures through hundreds of electronic messages.”
©American Heartland
The lawsuit reads:
“Silanskas and Wilhite made Gene believe that God Himself was commanding Gene to infuse ever more cash into the project and to trust them completely with its management…For years, those electronic messages preyed upon Gene’s devout Christian faith and admonished Gene to obey ‘God’s’ will without doubts or second-guessing.”
©American Heartland
The messages advised Bicknell to follow the directions of Silanskas and Wilhite by funding the project. One message reportedly read, “TRUST THEM COMPLETELY AND AVOID INSERTING ANY DISTRACTIONS OR DOUBTFUL QUESTIONS.”
Bicknell’s lawyers stated he believed the messages were coming from God. “This is God’s plan. Not mine,” he reportedly told a friend.
©American Heartland
The suit alleges that Silanskas and Wilhite used the biblical concept of a “triune” or “Holy Trinity” to convince Bicknell to divide ownership evenly between them, despite their lack of investment in it.
Other messages were sent from an email account belonging to a fictional “Sister Catherine” that allegedly told Bicknell to withstand “demonic attacks” from critics, including his family members.
©American Heartland
In late 2023, Bicknell texted Silanskas and Wilhite that he was bankrupt. He wrote, “No where to go. I’m basically broke. If this goes on without revenue. I’m bankrupt just letting you know. I’m still positive of this happening but I can’t do it any more.”
©American Heartland
According to the initial renderings, the American Heartland resort was going to span 1,000 acres in Vinita, Oklahoma, and include a 125-acre theme park roughly the size of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, plus a water park, a large RV park with cabins, a dinner theatre, an amphitheater, a swimming pool, a clubhouse, and more.
©American Heartland
The development team includes over a dozen former Disney employees with experience in special effects, technical design, entertainment, and more — none of whom are involved in the lawsuit.
As of now, the park’s website is no longer functional, but the mayor of Vinita recently told Tulsa World that he “still think(s) something is going to happen.”
©American Heartland
We’ll be on the lookout for additional updates about American Heartland and this lawsuit. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more.
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Bizarre
I had a feeling this whole “enterprise” wasn’t on the up-and-up and would never be built.
It’s sad that these chumps defrauded a 92-year-old – I hope he gets his money back.
Also, it’s kinda sad that so many ex-Disney folks (with combined experience of over 450 years!!) got pulled into this as well. Hope they got paid up front.
The family needs to have grandpa assessed for diminished mental capacity. It’s so sad he fell for that bunk.