AG's office files lawsuit against two Colorado City businesses
 
Arizona Attorney General's Press Release on the Civil Rights Lawsuits Filed Against Two Colorado City Businesses on June 14, 2007.

Arizona Attorney General's Civil Rights Complaint Filed Against Big Dan's Drive Thru on June 14, 2007.

Arizona Attorney General's Civil Rights Complaint Filed Against the Vermillion Candy Shoppe and Bygnal Dutson on June 14, 2007.

HURRICANE - The Arizona Attorney General's Office has filed a civil lawsuit against two Colorado City businesses for allegedly refusing to serve former members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The lawsuit is based on incidents that allegedly occurred last year in which several former members of the FLDS church entered the establishments and allegedly were refused service.

In one instance, the group, which consisted of Andrew Chatwin, Isaac Wyler, William Daniel Chatwin and a friend, paid and were waiting for their food and were reportedly asked to leave. After pointing out they had already ordered and paid for their food, the food was reportedly delivered to their table in "to go" boxes.

In another instance, the Colorado City police were reportedly called to the establishment.

Michelle Chatwin, Andrew's wife, said the complaints were filed with the Arizona Attorney General's Office to bring the Constitution back to the town.

"We need some normalcy instead of this craziness," Chatwin said. "They (the business owners) have got to stop treating people not of their religion like dirt."

The two businesses were the Vermillion Candy Shoppe, owned by Bygnal Dutson, and Big Dan's Drive Thru, which is owned by Daniel Porter Steed, according to the press release issued by the Arizona Attorney General's Office.

Attempts to reach the owners or mangers at both establishments Thursday evening by The Spectrum were unsuccessful.

Chatwin said her husband was a former member of the FLDS church. She said the group filed the complaints but simply wanted a policy change and apology.

"I cannot believe why we were being treating like that," Chatwin said. "Dan's used to serve us."

Chatwin said before it was never an issue getting served, but lately it's become an issue.
 
TheSpectrum.com
Originally published June 15, 2007
 
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