An Alabama judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the state’s plans to build a beachfront hotel with BP settlement money stemming from the 2010 oil spill.
Yesterday, Montgomery Circuit Judge Greg Griffin ruled Jim Zeigler had no authority to bring the lawsuit against Governor Robert Bentley in Zeigler’s official capacity as State Auditor.
Alabama is currently building a 350-room hotel and conference center at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Zeigler and state representative Johnny Mack Morrow filed the lawsuit against Governor Bentley and other state officials. They argue the project required the approval of the state legislature.
Judge Griffin noted in his dismissal that the project does not involve any taxpayer money and is being built solely with oil spill settlement funds.
Governor Bentley praised Griffin’s decision. He says the hotel development will “benefit Alabama as well as all state parks throughout the state.”