In California, USA, Billionaire Businessman James Huntsman, is in court, asking the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to refund the $5m he paid to the church as tithe over the years.
A lawsuit that Huntsman filed in 2021 accusing the church of fraud initially was rejected by a federal judge but was revived a few weeks ago. A federal appeals court panel voted 2-1 that jurors should hear Huntsman’s argument and his demand for a refund of $5 million minimum.
A 2019 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) complaint alleged the Mormon church improperly used charity funds on commercial projects.
James Huntsman is suing the church for $5 million, the amount he says he donated over decades.
If returned to him, he says he will donate the funds to charity. The church has denied wrongdoing.
