Polygamist Trust Remains in State Hands

Flagstaff, AZ – A Utah Judge has rejected a proposed settlement that would have returned control of a state-managed land trust back to followers of polygamist Leader Warren Jeffs. The United Effort Plan Trust was formed in 1942 to hold the collective assets of members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Utah courts took control of the trust in 2005 after allegations of mismanagement. Utah's Attorney General proposed a settlement giving the majority of trust assets back to the church while setting aside some properties for former church members. A judge in the case rejected the proposal, saying it does not conform to changes that require the trust to be religiously neutral. The trust owns most of the property in Colorado City, AZ and neighboring Hildale, UT.