Victim in Jeffs case is also suing him
 Settlement talks under way in other lawsuits against FLDS leader
 
By Ben Winslow
Deseret Morning News
 
The woman at the center of the criminal prosecution against Warren Jeffs is the same woman who has filed a multi-million dollar personal injury lawsuit against him.

Lawyers for "M.J." confirmed Tuesday that she is "Jane Doe No. 4" in Washington County's case against Jeffs. It was revealed in Salt Lake City's 3rd District Court, when her lawyers announced she has placed her civil lawsuit on hold until the criminal prosecution of Jeffs is over.

"The M.J. case and any settlement is complicated by the criminal prosecution," lawyer Roger Hoole said Tuesday.

Greg Hoole, who is also representing "M.J.," said they did not want to undermine the criminal prosecution of Jeffs with a civil lawsuit.

"It's not about the lawsuit for her," he told the Deseret Morning News on Tuesday. "It's about helping people and making sure that Warren's behind bars."

Prosecutors in St. George refused to comment on it.

"I won't confirm or deny," said deputy Washington County Attorney Brian Filter.

In her lawsuit, "M.J." claims she was forced into a polygamous marriage with an older man. The claims in her civil lawsuit are similar to what Jeffs is facing criminally.

Meanwhile, Jeffs has some new reading material in the Purgatory Jail.

The Fundamentalist LDS Church leader has now been served with a lawsuit accusing him of fleecing the UEP Trust and exposing it to litigation.

"I went to the jail and gave it to a deputy who took it to him," private investigator Sam Brower told the Deseret Morning News.

Brower served the papers a couple of weeks ago on behalf of the UEP's court-appointed special fiduciary. He is also expected to serve Jeffs soon with a series of lawsuits filed by other ex-FLDS members.

"We'll serve him when we're ready," said Roger Hoole.

During Tuesday's court hearing, lawyers updated the judge on settlement talks involving the lawsuits.

"The arrest of Warren has changed the dynamics of things," said Jeffrey L. Shields, a lawyer for the court-appointed special fiduciary.

Shields said they are close to settling a lawsuit involving Western Precision, a manufacturing company linked to the FLDS Church. The business has left Hildale and there is dispute over what is the company's and what belongs to the UEP.

Settlement talks are under way in a lawsuit filed against Jeffs, the FLDS Church and the UEP by the "Lost Boys," a group of teens from Hildale and Colorado City who were kicked out for various "sins." Another lawsuit was filed by Warren Jeffs' nephew, Brent, who claims he was sexually abused as a child by the FLDS leader.

Part of the settlement in the Lost Boys and Brent Jeffs lawsuit would be to create a "Lost Boys Assistance and Education Fund," Roger Hoole said Tuesday.

"The purpose of this would be to eliminate red tape and get the assistance to people who need it immediately," he said, adding that some of the plaintiffs would also gets parts of land in the settlement.

E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com
 
deseretnews.com
Originally published Tuesday, October 10, 2006
 
Back