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OGDEN, Utah (AP) -- Settlement papers show Mormon church leaders agreed to return more than $202,000 in tithing money paid by a man convicted of bilking investors out of more than $142 million.
U.S. District Court filings show Val Southwick paid The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints $202,761.74 between 2001 and 2006.
In 2008, the LDS Church Corporation of the Presidency agreed to return the money as part of a Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement action.
Spokesman Scott Trotter says the church has a policy of not profiting from alleged ill-gotten gains.
Southwick was convicted of securities fraud and is serving nine consecutive prison terms of one to 15 years.
A Salt Lake City law firm is trying to recover and liquidate Southwick's assets for victims.
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Information from: Standard-Examiner
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