Polygamist lawyers in Utah face bar investigation
Seven Utah lawyers are being accused in a new complaint that they are violating rules of conduct because they are polygamists.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the complaint was filed by a woman named Melissa Ellis who used to belong to a northern Utah polygamous group. She believes Utah should take action against polygamists who hold professional licenses.
University of Utah of law professor Linda F. Smith says it’s unlikely the complaint will lead to discipline because the state has long had polygamists who practice law.
One attorney in the complaint is Paul E. Kingston, also the leader of a polygamous group called the Davis County Cooperative Society. Kingston didn’t return a voicemail left at his law office.
Billy Walker of the organization that investigates bar complaints said he can’t comment on complaints.
