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Developer sues Lake Lawn owners

An Illinois developer has refiled a $13.1 million lawsuit against the owners of Lake Lawn Resort.

Orren Pickell Development of Lincolnshire, Ill., filed suit in Waukesha County Court stating the owners of Lake Lawn Resort, 2400 E. Geneva St., Delavan, broke a contract with Pickell.

A similar lawsuit was filed Feb. 9 in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee. That case was dismissed in April, according to online court records.

Another lawsuit was filed and dismissed in 2007 in federal court in Illinois, according to online court records. That case was dismissed for a lack of jurisdiction, according to court records.

According to the new summons and complaint filed May 4 in Waukesha County Court:

Orren Pickell Developments and Delavan Resort Holdings wrote a letter of intent in February 2007. According to the letter, Pickell agreed to buy, and the resort owners agreed to sell, 258 acres and 37 condos.

The letter called for the creation of a purchase agreement, protected the confidentiality of both parties and gave Delavan Resort holdings the right to keep trying to sell the property as long as Pickell was allowed to match other offers.

In March 2007, Pickell was told that the Delavan Resort investors would vote on Pickell's offer. That was a delay in the timeline, but Pickell agreed to wait.

Pickell submitted an amendment to the February letter.

But on April 2, Pickel learned "some unidentified investor" was buying the resort property.

Pickell is demanding $13.1 million in damages.

The Janesville Gazette was unable to reach Pat Nelson, president of Delavan Resort Holdings, or attorneys for Pickell.