FLDS Leadership Being Challenged Through Competing State Corporate Filings

In the midst of the many legal issues surrounding the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, AP this week reports that another legal battle is brewing as contesting factions have used filings with Utah's Division of Corporations as the vehicle to compete for the Church's leadership. On March 28, William Jessop, claiming to be the Presiding Bishop of the church, filed a Corporation Registration Information Change Form listing himself as President of the Church and removing Warren Jeffs name as an officer of the corporation. Three days later, Jeffs filed a similar form (full text), listing himself as Presiding Bishop and removing Jessop's name. The filing included an affidavit characterizing Jessop's prior filing as false. Several affidavits from church members claim that Jeffs was elected as head of the church last month. Jessop claims he was placed at the head of the church by Warren Jeff's father, Rulon Jeffs, and says that Warren Jeffs has been disqualified as leader of the church by various immoral acts. He says that church officials loyal to Jeffs have used intimidation against church members. Jeffs is currently in prison in Texas awaiting trial on charges of bigamy and aggravated sexual assault. All of the filings at issue are on the Utah Division of Corporation's website. On March 31, the Division of Corporations Director placed the competing filings on hold until May 2, hoping that the parties would resolve the dispute. So far, neither side has asked a court to intervene.