Texas Securities Commissioner Refutes False Claim in AG Paxton’s Lawsuit Against EPIC, CAIR Responds

In a significant development addressing misinformation in the ongoing legal controversy surrounding a Texas Islamic center, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has welcomed a clarification from Texas Securities Commissioner Travis Iles regarding false claims made in connection with Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit against the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC).

The dispute centers around assertions made in a Fox News article which claimed Commissioner Iles had determined that EPIC entities were selling securities without proper registration or exemptions. The article further alleged that Iles had referred the matter to the Attorney General’s office after identifying what were described as “flagrant violations.”

In response to these claims, Commissioner Iles issued an official statement through the Texas State Securities Board specifically refuting the characterization of his actions portrayed in the media coverage.

CAIR, which serves as the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, expressed appreciation for the Commissioner’s intervention to correct the record. Robert McCaw, CAIR’s Government Affairs Director, emphasized the importance of accuracy in reporting on matters affecting Muslim institutions.

“We thank Commissioner Iles for issuing this statement clarifying the false information about EPIC presented in the article,” McCaw stated. “With the amount of defamatory and blatantly propagandistic lies there are targeting EPIC and the Texas Muslim community generally, it is important to set the record straight.”

This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing tensions between Texas state officials and Muslim communities. Attorney General Paxton’s lawsuit against EPIC represents just one of several recent legal actions taken by Texas authorities that have raised concerns about potential targeting of Muslim institutions.

The East Plano Islamic Center, located in the Dallas metropolitan area, serves as an important religious and community hub for Muslims in North Texas. Founded in 2005, the center provides religious services, educational programs, and community outreach activities for the growing Muslim population in Collin County.

Legal observers note that the controversy highlights broader issues regarding the intersection of religious freedom, financial regulations, and political dynamics in Texas. The state has seen significant demographic changes in recent years, with growing Muslim communities in major urban centers like Dallas, Houston, and Austin.

Civil rights advocates have expressed concern that legal actions against Islamic institutions could have a chilling effect on religious practice and community development. CAIR’s involvement reflects the organization’s ongoing mission to protect the civil liberties of American Muslims and combat misrepresentation of Islamic institutions in public discourse.

McCaw concluded his statement with a call for Texas officials “to end their witch hunts into the community,” suggesting that CAIR views the legal action against EPIC as part of a pattern of unwarranted scrutiny directed at Muslim organizations.

The clarification from Commissioner Iles serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate reporting on legal matters involving religious institutions and underscores the real-world impact that misinformation can have on communities already navigating complex relationships with government authorities.

As this situation continues to develop, community leaders are calling for increased dialogue between state officials and Muslim organizations to address concerns and build mutual understanding in an increasingly diverse Texas.