COLUMBUS, Ohio - Calling a lawsuit “misguided,” state officials have asked a judge to dismiss a legal challenge against Ohio's plan to use unclaimed funds for the Cleveland Browns' proposed stadium.

State Treasurer Robert Sprague, Commerce Director Sheryl Maxfield, and Unclaimed Funds Superintendent Akil Hardy have filed two opposing motions in the case, arguing that the claims of the plaintiffs are too different to be considered a single group.

The lawsuit was filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court by three Ohio residents who claim the state is unconstitutionally taking their private property. A key part of their complaint is that the new law, H.B. 96, would use more than $1 billion in unclaimed funds to help pay for new sports facilities, including the Browns' stadium project in

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