CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — The search for Amelia Earhart's missing airplane could land in front of a federal jury.

A federal judge in Wyoming heard arguments Thursday in a lawsuit filed by a man who says he was defrauded of $1 million by organizers of a search for Earhart's airplane, which disappeared in 1937.

Tim Mellon says the Pennsylvania-based International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery and its executive director actually found Earhart's plane in 2010. Mellon argues the group kept the discovery secret so it could keep seeking money from him.

The group says there's no proof it found Earhart's plane.

Lawyers argued in Casper whether the lawsuit should be dismissed or whether a jury should decide if Earhart's plane has been found.

U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl will issue a ruling later.

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