Name of former UEP trustee found on papers
 Documents include building permit, six other permit applications
 
By Patrice St. Germain
patrices@thespectrum.com
 
COLORADO CITY - The signature, or a facsimile of the signature, of an ousted United Effort Plan trustee has turned up on one building permit and six other permit applications - one as recently as July 22 - filed in this polygamist community.

The permits, issued for work on homes owned by the financial arm of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, all bear the signature or a likeness of the signature of former UEP trustee William E. Jessop.

Colorado City building official David Darger, who issues the permits and applications, said he has "no desire to comment on the permits issued."

Town clerk Joseph Allred said he doesn't know who William E. Jessop is but said he assumed that Jessop was an agent for a trustee.

Allred said he was never notified of a May 27 court order removing the former UEP trustees, which included Warren Jeffs, Truman Barlow, Winston Blackmore, LeRoy Jeffs, James Zitting and Jessop, who is also known as William Timpson. Allred said he isn't sure what he would do when asked if the city would continue to accept permit applications with Jessop's signature.

"I guess we will decide at that time," Allred said.

Utah Assistant Attorney General Tim Bodily said his office is aware that Jessop's signature is turning up on documents as a U.E.P. trustee and that he is concerned.

"The action of William E. Jessop exceeds the limited authority the court gave them (former U.E.P. trustees) and I have an issue with that and it may require further action, but it's difficult to tell," Bodily said.

Jessop was not available for comment. A court hearing is scheduled today in Salt Lake City to consider new trustees.

On May 27, the Utah Attorney General's office issued a temporary restraining order freezing assets belonging to the U.E.P. The order stripped the power of the trustees. Certified public accountant Bruce Wisan was appointed as special fiduciary to determine the extent of UEP assets.

During a court hearing on July 1, the trustees were given limited power to act as necessary to protect and preserve the benefits of the trust because of a gap in court hearings and the appointment of new trustees.

The trust was formed in 1942 and over the years, members of the church - primarily from the Hildale and Colorado City communities once known as Short Creek - contributed land and assets to the trust, which today is conservatively estimated at $100 million.
 
TheSpectrum.com
Originally published August 4, 2005
 
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