Katherine Harris's Troutman cousin sues the Alexander cousin's line for business losses.

On Thursday, state Rep. Baxter G. Troutman of Winter Haven sued his cousin, state Sen. J.D. Alexander of Lake Wales, along with Alexander's father, John R. Alexander. The lawsuit claims Alico Inc. - a family-controlled, LaBelle-based business - has suffered more than $1 million in losses because of mismanagement.

The lawsuit claims the Alexanders "negligently, carelessly, and intentionally failed to perform their duties" and funds and assets of Alico were wasted.

..."Troutman said filing the lawsuit against family members was a necessary business decision.

"I feel it's my fiduciary responsibility to stand up for the little guys," he said. "I fully expect that there will be other Alico shareholders who have already mentioned joining the cause."

The lawsuit was filed with less than two weeks left in J.D. Alexander's campaign to be re-elected to his state Senate seat. Troutman wasn't opposed for re-election to his House seat. Both men are Republicans.

Troutman and Alexander have been locked in a struggle over the future of the family's massive land holdings. Troutman wants to keep much of the land in agricultural use, while the Alexanders have pushed for more intensive development.

The Heartland Parkway project was controversial because a Lake Wales Senator, J.D. Alexander, controls companies that own land along the proposed development route. It is estimated that the road would cost between $6.3 billion and $7.8 billion.