The developers of Essex Landing, home to the iconic orange dinosaur off Route 1 in Saugus, are suing the town in federal court, accusing the town manager of pressuring them to pay a $200,000 donation to allow the project to proceed.

In a complaint filed on Aug. 21, the developers, TB Holdings LLC, say Town Manager Scott Crabtree largely caused the “arbitrary and discriminatory” treatment toward them.

The developers claim that Crabtree “exercises unfettered discretion and unchecked power over the town” and pressured them into paying a $200,000 donation to the parks and recreation department to move the project along.

The developers also claim that the town is liable for “egregious constitutional violations” and is asking the court to grant them damages and just relief.

TB Holdings spoke

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