Judge holds firm on $5.5M FLDS debt settlement

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A judge won't reconsider an order directing the state of Utah to pay more than $5.5 million in debts owed by a communal trust once run by imprisoned polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs.

The money is owed to a court-appointed accountant managing the trust, and others hired for trust-related business.

The Utah courts seized the trust in 2005 amid allegations of mismanagement by Jeffs and other Fundamentalist LDS Church leaders. The $114 million trust holds the land and homes of Jeffs' followers.

The Utah Attorney General's Office asked for a reconsideration of the August order last week. It was denied by the judge Friday.

State attorneys contend taxpayers aren't responsible because the state acted in good faith when taking over the trust.