SALT LAKE CITY—A Utah state judge has been ordered to appear in Salt Lake City’s federal court on Monday in the legal battle over the land trust tied to Warren Jeffs’ polygamous church.
Third District Judge Denise Lindberg has been ordered to explain why she sought to block a federal court ruling giving the trust back to church leaders.
U.S. District Judge Dee Benson says he might hold Lindberg in contempt of court.
Utah took over the trust in 2005 amid allegations of mismanagement. That’s being challenged in both state and federal courts.
In February, Benson said the takeover violated FLDS religious rights and ordered it returned.
But Lindberg issued a competing order preventing the assets from being returned. She’s also asked the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to block Benson’s order.
