Silicon Valley Tech Titans Accused of Strong-arm Tactics in Farmland Acquisition

Silicon Valley Tech Titans Accused of Strong-arm Tactics in Farmland Acquisition

Technology

Silicon Valley tech titans, backed by prominent billionaires, have been accused of utilizing strong-arm tactics and a divide-and-conquer strategy to acquire agricultural land in the Bay Area. Local farmers allege that Flannery Associates, the company behind the California Forever project, employed underhanded tactics to dominate the regional real estate market. The allegations emerged in a court filing related to a land rights dispute. Despite uncertainties, the project faces regulatory and logistical obstacles, with questions arising about its governance and long-term viability.

Silicon Valley-Backed Company Accused of Unfair Tactics in Land Acquisition Lawsuit

Silicon Valley-Backed Company Accused of Unfair Tactics in Land Acquisition Lawsuit

Business

A group of landowners in California have accused Flannery Associates LLC, a Silicon Valley-backed company, of using unfair and manipulative tactics to force farmers to sell their land in order to build a sustainable city. The landowners claim that Flannery employed strong-armed tactics, including pitting family members against each other, to coerce farmers into selling. Flannery has filed a lawsuit alleging that the landowners conspired to inflate the value of their land, but the landowners deny these claims and seek to dismiss the suit. Flannery has spent $800 million to purchase agricultural land and is seeking $510 million in damages from the landowners.