JACKSON — A federal lawsuit that claims former Rankin County Supervisor Ken Martin and others reneged on a deal to support the development of a new subdivision has been scheduled for trial in January 2011.

Martin denied the allegations in court records, saying he acted in good faith.

Diamond Fields LLC sued in 2009, claiming Martin and others made a verbal agreement that there would be no problem rezoning 87 acres off Mississippi Highway 468.

The lawsuit claims Martin was later influenced “to engage in the improper, if not illegal, tactics” to block the company’s plans to build 250 lots.

His attorney had no comment.

Court records said a company affiliated with Diamond eventually got permission to develop 87 lots on the land.