Two Salt Lake City biodiesel executives linked to a polygamous group will stay in jail on federal charges in an alleged $500 million tax credit scheme.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Brooke Wells denied an effort Wednesday to immediately release defendant Isaiah Kingston. His lawyer Scott Williams says allegations that he would flee to Turkey if released ahead of trial are false and misleading.
Jacob Kingston's lawyer Tara Isaacson did not seek her client's immediate release but he has a detention hearing scheduled week.
Federal prosecutors say he and Washakie Renewable Energy CEO Jacob Kingston had business dealings in Turkey, access to a private jet and had been tipped off ahead of a raid in the case. They say cooperating witnesses are in danger of retaliation.
They have pleaded not guilty to creating false production records to obtain renewable-fuel tax credits and then laundering the proceeds.
