Plaintiff, tithing fraud suit
James Huntsman
b. 1970
1 topic · 3 dated events
Their part in each topic
Church Finances, Tithing, and the Transparency Question
Plaintiff, tithing fraud suit
Brother of former Utah governor Jon Huntsman Jr., he resigned his membership in 2020 and sued the Corporation of the President in March 2021 for the return of more than $5 million in tithing, alleging the Church defrauded members about how tithing was spent on City Creek Center and the Beneficial Life bailout. His case was dismissed, partly revived by a 2-1 panel of the Ninth Circuit in August 2023, then dismissed again by an eleven-judge en banc panel.
In the timeline
3 events across 1 topics, chronological. Only events this person was actually part of — present at, responsible for, or the subject of — not every event where the name comes up.
James Huntsman sues for the return of his tithing
Huntsman filed in the Central District of California seeking more than $5 million in tithing, alleging the Church misrepresented that tithing was not used for commercial projects while spending, he alleged, $1.4 billion on City Creek and $594 million on the Beneficial Life bailout. Nielsen supplied a sworn declaration that Ensign Peak staff 'referred to and revered all funds of EPA as "tithing" money, regardless of whether they were referring to principal or earnings.' Judge Stephen V. Wilson granted the Church summary judgment on 14 September 2021.
A Ninth Circuit panel revives the City Creek claim
A three-judge panel reversed summary judgment on Huntsman's fraud claim as to the City Creek representations, while affirming as to Beneficial Life, and denied the Church's request to seal the financial portions of the opinion. The Church sought rehearing; Chief Judge Mary H. Murguia granted en banc review and the panel opinion was vacated.
The en banc court dismisses the tithing suit
An eleven-judge en banc panel of the Ninth Circuit unanimously agreed with the district court and dismissed Huntsman's suit in a 63-page set of rulings — the second dismissal in four years. Commentators noted the ruling would carry persuasive weight over two further tithing cases then pending in the Tenth Circuit. The Church welcomed the ruling, saying tithing donations are considered sacred and are dedicated to advancing its mission.
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