Prominent Billionaire Revives Legal Battle Against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Over $5 Million Tithes

By Admin

Renowned billionaire businessman James Huntsman, based in California, has rekindled a high-profile legal dispute against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Huntsman alleges that the church misled him regarding the use of substantial tithing donations, totaling an astonishing $5 million over several years.

In a surprising twist of fate, Huntsman’s lawsuit, which was initially dismissed by a federal judge in 2021, has recently been resurrected by a federal appeals court panel.

This panel, in a close 2-1 vote, has determined that Huntsman should be granted the opportunity to present his case at trial, providing him with the chance to substantiate his claims and potentially seek the reimbursement of his tithes.

The origins of this legal battle can be traced back to a 2019 complaint that Huntsman filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In his complaint, he accused the Mormon church of diverting charitable funds toward commercial ventures, alleging that the church had amassed a staggering $100 billion investment fund sourced from tithes and donations, while directing minimal resources toward charitable endeavors.

Huntsman expressed deep disappointment, highlighting that his tithing contributions were made in good faith, with the belief that they would be used for humanitarian and educational purposes. Learning about the church’s financial practices left him shocked and disillusioned, feeling betrayed by its leadership.

In the event of a successful outcome, Huntsman has pledged to redirect the $5 million to charitable organizations recognized for their transparency and accountability.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in response, has staunchly denied any wrongdoing. They maintain that they manage their funds judiciously and within the bounds of the law.