Divine Demands Drain $60 Million—Park Still Empty

Hands praying on a Bible

Religious manipulation and alleged fraud have rocked the American Heartland theme park project, exposing how faith-based appeals were reportedly used to pressure a 91-year-old investor into funding a $60 million scheme with no real development to show.

Story Snapshot

  • Investor Gene Bicknell alleges he was duped out of $60 million through messages claiming divine authority.
  • No visible progress has been made at the Vinita, Oklahoma theme park site two years after its high-profile launch.
  • A federal lawsuit accuses developers of fraud, racketeering, and psychological abuse.
  • The scandal highlights vulnerabilities in large-scale projects and the dangers of exploiting faith in business.

Faith-Based Manipulation and Investor Rights Under Threat

Gene Bicknell, a 91-year-old widower and primary backer of the American Heartland theme park, has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the project’s developers of fraud and psychological abuse. According to legal filings, Bicknell was subjected to emails and messages that claimed to be from God, demanding his “absolute obedience” and continued funding for the park. This alleged misuse of religious rhetoric targeted Bicknell’s faith and trust, leveraging spiritual authority to override sound financial judgment and basic investor protections. Such tactics represent a significant threat to individual liberty, as they erode the fundamental right of investors to make decisions free from undue psychological or spiritual coercion.

The American Heartland project was first announced in July 2023 with grand promises of transforming Vinita, Oklahoma, into a world-class tourist destination. Backed by Mansion Entertainment Group and led by executives Larry Wilhite, Rick Silanskas, and Stephen Hedrick, the project generated excitement and support from local communities eager for economic revitalization. However, despite heavy promotion and substantial investment, aerial images and on-the-ground reports have confirmed that, by 2025, there is little to no visible construction at the site. This lack of progress has fueled suspicions of mismanagement and spurred calls for accountability, especially as details of the alleged manipulation surfaced in federal court.

Legal, Ethical, and Economic Fallout in the Heartland

Bicknell’s lawsuit, filed on July 28, 2025, accuses the developers of not only financial fraud but also racketeering and psychological abuse. The suit details a pattern of behavior in which the defendants allegedly used spiritual authority to silence doubts and demand continued funding, blurring the line between personal faith and professional responsibility. As of early August, the developers have not issued substantive responses. Legal experts warn that the case could set new precedents for psychological manipulation in civil litigation, especially when faith is weaponized for personal gain. Meanwhile, the project’s future is in doubt, with construction halted and legal proceedings underway.

The collapse of the American Heartland project has immediate consequences for investors and the local Vinita community. Investors face substantial financial losses and uncertainty, while the community—originally promised jobs and tourism revenue—now confronts stalled economic prospects and broken trust. Industry analysts note that scandals like this can have a chilling effect on future large-scale investments, particularly those invoking faith or patriotism to rally support. The scandal highlights the critical need for transparency, ethical boundaries, and robust investor protections to safeguard against similar abuses. Calls for regulatory oversight and clearer industry standards are growing, as stakeholders seek to prevent the exploitation of American values and faith for personal enrichment.

Broader Implications and Conservative Concerns

This controversy underscores the vulnerabilities that arise when traditional values and faith are manipulated for financial gain. The use of supposed divine messages to demand absolute obedience undermines not only common sense and sound business practices but also the personal liberty and dignity of individual investors. For conservatives who value free enterprise, personal responsibility, and constitutional protections, the American Heartland scandal represents both a cautionary tale and a call to vigilance. As legal proceedings continue, this case may ultimately prompt broader reforms in project oversight and investor safeguards, ensuring that faith and patriotism are never weaponized against the very people who uphold them.

Sources:

God, The Heartland, and Theme Parks – MetaFilter

Investor Alleges Fraud in American Heartland Theme Park Project – News On 6