Details of James Huntsman's lawsuit against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints' temples and offices dot the Salt Lake City landscape. Photo: Ismael Paramo.

The Washington Post reported yesterday that former Utahn James Huntsman is suing the church his extended and prominent family belongs to, alleging that members’ tithing money was spent on commercial rather than charitable purposes.

Huntsman’s lawsuit requests the return of millions of dollars in donations he made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was filed in district court in California, where Huntsman now lives and works. James Huntsman is the brother of former Utah governor Jon Huntsman Jr. and of Paul Huntsman, who owns the Salt Lake Tribune.

According to the Post, the lawsuit comes 16 months after a whistleblower complaint was filed with the IRS. That complaint, by a high-level investment manager, alleged that the church amassed $100 billion in money intended for charitable purposes, and misled members by using donations, which are tax-exempt, to support businesses.