Ginn plans a $1 billion, mixed-use venture of single-family and multifamily homes; and an 18-hole golf course on the site.

Ginn officials couldn't be reached for comment at GlobeSt.com's publication deadline. But company representatives say developer Robert "Bobby" Ginn vigorously denies the charges and has invited the plaintiffs, elected county officials and the media to tour the site Jan 31 and examine the grounds for themselves.

Ginn has spent an estimated $2,000 on an independent investigation of the 1,500-acre Pine Island tract by Sarasota-based Archaeological Consultants Inc. The three-month study of the grounds and official county and state records found no evidence to indicate the site was a former Indian cemetery, according to Ginn representatives.

But Combs, of Choctaw descent and the American Indian Movement allege on their Web site, Indian Burial and Sacred Grounds Watch, that Ginn construction workers on Jan. 20 committed "a massive violation" of state law--a law that has been on the books for 15 years without a single prosecution.

In her Web site news alert to members, Combs says she photographed "at least 10 white individuals with shovels, rakes, sifters and buckets digging and removing artifacts, including skeletal remains that appear to be human from the area known as 8LA58." The newsletter calls the alleged vandals "racist vile ghouls."

The newsletter says Combs "notified the media and the Lake County Sheriff's Office and was summarily ignored." The Indian group and Combs are asking their members, supporters and friends to call or e-mail the Lake County Sheriff's Office and "advise them to seriously and thoroughly investigate this crime and (also) advise them the eyes of the world are on their actions."

Lake County commissioners approved the Pine Island project last fall but cautioned Ginn the venture could be scrubbed if human bones from Native Americans were found on the site.

Ginn bought 1,190 acres on Pine Island last fall for $10.6 million or $8,908 per acre (20 cents per sf). The sellers were Lykes Brothers Inc. and Hyponex Corp., both of Tampa, FL.

Instant Insights /

GlobeSt.com UPDATE: Realtor Alleges Developer Trashing Indian Burial Grounds

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