Haymond mulls plea deal

PROVO — A former Springville mayor and Republican state legislator who is facing 20 felony counts related to securities fraud waived his right to a preliminary court hearing this week and now is considering a plea deal offered by prosecutors.

J. Brent Haymond is accused of scamming investors of more than $350,000 on phony humanitarian projects in China, according to an affidavit filed in Provo's 4th District Court.

Investors were told their money would go toward such diverse projects as buying airplanes and growing alfalfa. Haymond allegedly told investors the projects would help The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gain a foothold in communist China.

The Division of Securities says the LDS Church had no knowledge of the scheme.

Haymond wired the money to Gen Yee Lin in China, according to the affidavit. Lin said he had connections to the Chinese government, according to court records.

Lin, who now lives in California, is facing 18 felony counts in the same case. Lin also waived his right to a preliminary hearing this week.

Now both men have until July 5 to decide whether to accept the state's plea deal. Deputy Utah County Attorney Curtis Larson would not elaborate on the proposed deal.

If Haymond and Lin do not accept the plea bargain, they will be required to enter a plea and the case will go to trial.

"Right now he's looking at some pretty hefty charges," Larson said.

Haymond was Springville's mayor from 1982 to 1986 and was then elected to the Utah House of Representatives, where he served from 1991 to 1999.

Haymond and Lin met during that time after being introduced by U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah. Lin wanted to know how he could build power plants in China similar to those Haymond had built in the United States.

Haymond's attorney did not return a phone call for comment.

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E-mail: jhyde@desnews.com