Billionaire Sues Mormon Church for $5 Million in Tithes

James Huntsman, a billionaire businessman from California, USA, has filed a lawsuit against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, demanding that the church return the $5 million he donated as tithes over the years.

He claims that the church misled him about how it used his donations and that it engaged in fraud.

Huntsman’s lawsuit was initially dismissed by a federal judge in 2021, but it was revived recently by a federal appeals court panel.

The panel voted 2-1 that Huntsman’s case should go to trial and that he should have the opportunity to prove his allegations and seek a refund of his tithes.

Huntsman’s lawsuit was inspired by a 2019 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) complaint that accused the Mormon church of misusing charity funds on commercial projects.

The complaint alleged that the church amassed a $100 billion investment fund from tithes and other donations, but spent little on charitable causes.

Huntsman says that he donated to the church in good faith, believing that his tithes would be used for humanitarian and educational purposes.

He says that he was shocked and disillusioned when he learned about the church’s financial practices and that he felt betrayed by the church leaders.

Huntsman says that if he wins his lawsuit, he will donate the $5 million to charities that are transparent and accountable. The church denies any wrongdoing and says that it uses its funds wisely and lawfully.

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