A federal judge is allowing a case to proceed challenging Ohio’s plan to fund a new Cleveland Browns stadium with residents’ unclaimed funds. Attorneys for the state had asked the judge to dismiss the case; plaintiffs wanted to halt any transfer of money out of the unclaimed funds trust fund.
U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus declined to do either. But Jeff Crossman, an attorney representing the citizens challenging the state doesn’t see it as a draw.
“I think the judge is convinced there’s some smoke here, and there might actually be some fire as well,” he said, “and that’s why he’s letting the case proceed.”
Crossman remains optimistic about their case and said they’re still considering an appeal to halt the transfers set to begin Jan. 1, 2026.
ohiocapitaljournal.com
By Nick Evans
December 12, 2025