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Religion & Law

: Religion Clause

Lawsuit Says Public Utilities In Arizona Town Discriminated Against FLDS Apostates

By Howard M. Friedman

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KSCG-TV News yesterday reported on a lawsuit filed last month by the Attorney General of Arizona against the municipal water and electric companies that furnish utilities to residents of Colorado City, Arizona and its twin community, Hildale, Utah. Land in the towns has traditionally been owned by the United Effort Plan Trust of the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS). FLDS leaders have encouraged their followers to avoid associating with apostates who they describe as tools of the devil. The complaint (full text) in State of Arizona v. Hildale-Colorado City Utilities, (Maricopa Co.Super. Ct. filed 6/25/2010) alleges that defendants have violated the Arizona Fair Housing Act by discriminatorily denying water service and delaying furnishing electrical service to Ronald Cooke because he was an apostate from the FLDS Church. Cooke, who left the Church at age 18 or 19 returned to Colorado City after suffering serious injuries in an accident and moved into an unfinished home there. He needs water for sanitation and electricity for a medical device he uses. Defendants told Cooke he needed a new building permit for his home before he could receive utilities, while no similar requirement was imposed on FLDS members. The lawsuit also alleges failure to accommodate Cook's medical disability. Cooke has filed a similar lawsuit under the federal Fair Housing Act in federal court as well.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on July 07, 2010 (boomark / email).