Tyler Perry is currently getting sued for alleged unfair dealings with government officials.
The AP reports that an Atlanta-based entertainment company is suing Tyler Perry for working unfairly with government officials in order to obtain a military base and turn it into a movie studio.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed issued a statement regarding negotiations several months ago.
“Today’s unanimous vote by the McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority to begin negotiations with Tyler Perry Studios for the acquisition of a significant Fort McPherson property is an important step forward in the long-term economic and social sustainability of the base and its surrounding communities. Over the course of the next thirty days, the City will remain actively engaged in a robust conversation about the future of the property.”
Ubiquitous Entertainment Studios, an entertainment company in Atlanta, Georgia filed a federal lawsuit this week against Tyler Perry, the US Army and a “government authority working to redevelop Fort McPherson” as defendants.
According to the Associate Press, “Ubiquitous says its CEO met with the authority’s chairman in December 2011 to share its vision of creating a movie studio and entertainment complex at the site. The company says Perry tried to persuade the authority to negotiate a similar deal with his company instead.”
Attorneys for the Ubiquitous Entertainment Studios told the AJC, that the company was in the process of developing a movie studio on the closed Fort for several years. Furthermore, they believe that the McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority’s actions are a violation of the authority’s rules, regulations and by-laws.
“In effect, MILRA [McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority] confirmed an exclusive franchise or property interest in the Ft. McPherson property to Perry and [Tyler Perry Studios] on a non-bid, non-request for proposal basis, with no advance public notice to give UES and other potential property developers an opportunity to compete for this real estate development. These acts and omissions of MILRA in this regard were arbitrary and capricious government conduct.”
Ubiquitous Entertainment Studios is asking for declaratory judgement and damages for incident.
This is not the only piece of property Tyler Perry has purchased in the last year. Perry recently bought 1,100 acres in Douglasville, Georgia. There are no details as to what he plans to do with all the land but, it is believed that he will build another movie studio.
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