SANTA ANA (AP) — A group of companies that failed in its bid to buy the Orange County Fairgrounds has filed a lawsuit to stop the property’s sale.

American Fairs & Festivals Inc. and its partner companies accuse the state of structuring its auction for the fairgrounds to favor Costa Mesa-based Facilities Management West. Officials selected the company last month to buy the 150-acre property for $100 million as part of a plan to address the state’s budget woes.

The lawsuit was filed Monday against the state’s General Services Department in Orange County Superior Court.

General Spokesman Eric Lamoureux says his department does not comment on pending litigation.

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