An Atlanta developer has filed a lawsuit in Chattooga County Superior Court alleging that an $89 million residential development on Little Sand Mountain was derailed after the 736-acre property at the center of the project was transferred to another nonprofit organization for $1 without his knowledge.

According to the lawsuit, developer Joseph Daniell had been working on plans for a proposed 171-home community in Chattooga County, coordinating engineering, development documents and financing for the project. The complaint alleges that during a review of county property records, Daniell discovered a quitclaim deed showing the property had been transferred on October 23, 2025, from Christian Zheng Sheng Association Limited US Inc. to New Day Horizons Group Inc. for $1. The deed was recorded in Chattooga County the following week.

The lawsuit claims Daniell was never informed of the ownership change and continued working on the project after the transfer. His attorney argues the conveyance was intended to place the property beyond Daniell’s reach and is seeking to have the transfer set aside while also seeking damages. Those allegations have not been proven in court.

CBS News Atlanta reports that New Day Horizons Group Inc. later received federal tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and describes itself as a Christian ministry focused on counseling and discipleship. The organization’s website states it has been entrusted with approximately 700 acres in North Georgia for its ministry.

The report also notes that one of the defendants named in the lawsuit, Atlanta-area real estate broker Emily Fu, previously pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud in an unrelated real estate case. That conviction is separate from the allegations made in the Chattooga County lawsuit.

The case remains pending in Chattooga County Superior Court, where a judge will ultimately determine the merits of the claims made by the parties.