Magnesen said he met Dummar through his brother shortly after he retired from the FBI. Magnesen said at first he thought Dummar's story was crazy, but after a three-year investigation that began in June 2002, Magnesen says he now believes the account.

Magnesen has also written a book, "The Investigation," about his findings. Magnesen said he found evidence that Hughes was looking at purchasing mining property and may have wandered away from the brothel to view some mining property nearby.

Stein said they are also looking for a former Cottontail Ranch worker by the name of "Sunny" who may be a witness to Hughes' visits. The attorney also has taken out a toll-free number and urged employees of Summa Corp., which controlled Hughes' assets, to come forward, pointing out that the criminal statute of limitations for perjury has expired.

"For 30 years Melvin Dummar told the truth," Stein said, adding Hughes' employees and relatives have suppressed evidence. "It was all done for power and money. . . . We demand that Hughes' people come forward and tell the truth."

However, there remain unanswered questions and problems surrounding the will.

Initially, a copy of the will was mysteriously left at the LDS Church Office Building addressed to then church President Spencer W. Kimball. When asked by the media, Dummar claimed he knew nothing about this but later changed his story when his fingerprints were found on the letter's envelope.

"My only regret is going along with that theory," Dummar said, "because I was afraid that they would accuse me of writing (the will)." He has since said that a woman — a stranger — delivered a copy of the will to him and instructed him to deliver it to the LDS Church president.

Handwriting experts have been torn as to whether the will is authentic.

When asked if they can prove the will is authentic, Stein says they're not required to prove that as part of their suit, but added they are prepared to do so.

Dummar, now 61, says he has spent the past 30 years mainly working for himself because of his reputation as a "crook" and a "con." He currently drives to remote areas in Utah and Nevada selling packaged meat products. He has also battled cancer and worked briefly as a singer and entertainer.

In his suit, Dummar seeks $156 million, plus interest from 1978, as triple damages from a claim of violating federal racketeering laws.

Stein said the suit, which was filed Monday afternoon, has yet to be served to Lummis or Gay. A secretary at Lummis' office said he was out of the office and could not be reached for comment. A message left by the Deseret Morning News was not returned as of deadline Tuesday.

Dummar said his quest is not about the money, but "I believe in what's right is right." He also said he has been deeply hurt by criticism from the media and others about his story. When asked if he would do it over again, if he would have picked up the straggly looking man, "I would do it over again. . . . It doesn't matter if they're the richest person in the world or the poorest."

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E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com