Topgolf attorneys allege conflict of interest as 504 Golf project advances despite legal challenges

Posted by Admin May 9, 2024 Golf

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE)—Attorneys for the proposed Topgolf development near the river are going to court, accusing the rival 504 golf project of a conflict of interest in getting the city to approve the 504 development. However, despite ongoing litigation, construction at the 504 Golf project is nearing the halfway point.

Three months ago, River District Neighborhood Investors sued 504 Golf, alleging a scheme to undermine the River District project, and Topgolf, a proposed rival golf development near the river.

Topgolf is not a party to the original lawsuit but, in a new motion, alleges that 504 golf developers and the city had a conflict of interest. The new court filing alleges that 504 Golf got special pilot tax incentives from the city industrial development board, represented by the Adams and Reese law firm, which also represents 504 Golf.

504 attorney Phil Franco, with Adams and Reese, tells Fox 8, ‘There’s no conflict. That’s more desperation to get us to back off and we’re not going to do that.’

Fox 8 legal analyst says there are safeguards to prevent conflicts.

“These large firms represent so many different players that many times they have conflict resolution situation where they can separate themselves where they can make sure that lawyers are not completing and conflicting,” said Fox 8 legal analyst Joe Raspanti.

Meantime, attorneys for Topgolf, with the Middleberg Riddle group, denied our request for an interview. But in their new motion they also alleged that work on 504 was allowed to proceed without a permit.

504 Golf officials say that was not the case, and they furnished us with a copy of their permit, which the city confirms is in place.

While no construction has begun at the Topgolf site near the river, progress is being made at 504 on broad, with owners telling Fox 8 that they are expecting driving range nets to go up in about a month, with the 504 golf entertainment venue expected to open in October or November.

Attorneys for 504 Golf say some aspects of this litigation are frivolous, and they’re now trying to get a judge to force their opponents to cover court costs.

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