EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — A long-running fight over millions of dollars American Dream allegedly owes Meadowlands towns could finally be headed for a settlement.

A deal involving the state, American Dream and East Rutherford is expected to come before the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority for a vote Sept. 24, according to The Record. The proposed settlement would address roughly $15 million that East Rutherford says the mega-mall owes in unpaid payments.

And that's not the end of the bill.

Surrounding Meadowlands towns say American Dream owes them another $10 million, bringing the total claimed by local municipalities to roughly $25 million.

American Dream is owned by Triple Five, the privately held company founded and controlled by the Ghermezian family, Iranian Jewish immigrants who fled Iran for Canada around the time of the Islamic Revolution. The family went on to build a North American shopping empire that includes West Edmonton Mall, Mall of America and American Dream.

East Rutherford Mayor Jeffrey Lahullier said negotiations remain ongoing and indicated that a settlement on the money owed to the borough is expected.

The dispute dates back years and centers on whether American Dream was legally considered "open" and therefore required to make payments under agreements established in 2004 and 2012.

A judge ruled last year that the mall was technically open and owed East Rutherford approximately $15 million. The borough has yet to receive the money.

American Dream's owners, however, maintain a different position. The company has argued that payments aren't required until the complex reaches 100% occupancy. The mall was 88% leased as of April.

Local officials say that standard is essentially impossible for a major shopping center to maintain.

The mall also disputes whether it has any binding obligation to the surrounding municipalities at all.

"We have no agreement with the towns," American Dream Chief Marketing Officer Adam Petrick told The Record, arguing the 2004 and 2012 agreements were essentially nonbinding recommendations.

Meanwhile, Carlstadt says it is owed more than $5 million, Secaucus claims $966,666, and 11 other Meadowlands communities each say they are owed approximately $387,500.

The NJSEA, which owns the land beneath American Dream, says it has not received any of the disputed payments but remains committed to helping resolve the fight.

After years of lawsuits and finger-pointing, the Sept. 24 NJSEA meeting could finally determine whether some of those long-awaited checks are on their way.