Alleged Misuse of Public Money: Restaurants, Chocolates...
 
By Brian Mullahy
KUTV 2News
 
Apparent targets of an investigation in the polygamous communities of Hildale-Colorado City may have a liking for frequent restaurant meals, fancy chocolates, and Costco purchases.

Officials in Mojave County, Arizona have released an affidavit for a search warrant, executed Tuesday at homes and fire stations near the Utah-Arizona border. Records and computers may be among the items seized.

"Starting in 2008 the Mojave County Attorney’s Office began an investigation dealing with the suspected misuse of public funds by the Colorado City Fire District," according to the court document. The district is said to be governed by two men, Fire Chief Jacob L. Barlow and Secretary/Treasurer David William Darger.

Investigators seem focused on credit card use, which they outlined in the 22 page affidavit. There were "multiple purchases several days of any given week…to restaurants in St. George," motel receipts for a three room, two night stay in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, "an invoice for one hundred candy gift boxes," seven Turbo Tax software purchases, and over a four year period, nearly $23,000 spent at Costco.

"This is a clear example of an overreaching and overly broad search," FLDS Spokesman Willie Jessop told 2News. "Clearly there’s an agenda that goes far beyond any kind of allegations, and that’s really the story here."

Jessop called the search "retaliation" for Hildale-Colorado City residents standing against actions by Bruce Wisan, the Salt Lake accountant appointed by a judge to oversee property in the communities, after finding a controlling UEP Trust had been mismanaged by jailed FLDS leader Warren Jeffs. A representative of Wisan was found guilty of trespassing, and Wisan himself has faced charges, which he expects will be dismissed.

To Jessop’s alleged retaliation, Wisan responded, "I feel sorry Willie feels that way. He gives me a lot more stature than I actually have."

"Ridiculous," said Utah Attorney General Spokesman Paul Murphy, in response to Jessop’s assertion.

Fire departments have expenses for supplies and food for fire stations. But according to the investigators, the Hildale-Colorado City force is almost all volunteer, and none of the firefighters need to sleep at the stations.
 
connect2utah.com
Originally broadcast Wednesday, Apr 7, 2010
 
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