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Prosecutors say polygamist skirted banking law

Associated Press/September 29, 2009

By Michelle Roberts

State attorneys allege a polygamist sect member set to for trial on bigamy and child sexual abuse charges next month deliberately skirted anti-money laundering laws.

The Texas Attorney General's Office also alleges Raymond Jessop used a wife he abandoned to front a company that could exploit contracting rules favoring women-owned businesses.

The allegations are listed in a court filing by the Attorney General's office Friday.

The 38-year-old Jessop isn't charged with additional counts in advance of his trial set for Oct. 26. However, the attorney general's filing's accusations may be used by prosecutors in the punishment phase of the trial.

Jessop is a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The sect's West Texas ranch was raided last spring. Twelve men, included jailed sect leader Warren Jeffs, are under indictment.

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