Indian-origin Florida man targeted in a fake 'Muslim city' conspiracy; he files lawsuit, says he's not even Muslim

Venkatesh Yerramsetty, an Indian-origin realtor in Florida, filed a lawsuit after being falsely accused of planning a 'Muslim city' in Indian River County.

The conspiracy was spread by media personalities, podcasters, and the Indian River County Republican Party linking his company Epic Estates to an Islamic community in Texas.

At a January 22, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, officials denied any plans for a 'Muslim Epic City', but conservative figure Dennis Michael Lynch encouraged protests.

Yerramsetty, who is Hindu, received threats and is seeking over $50,000 in damages for defamation from the Republican Party and 10 others.