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Kingston brother accused in $511 million Utah fraud loses latest bid to get out of jail

A federal judge Friday ordered a suspect accused of participating in a $511 million fraud scheme connected to a polygamous sect to remain in jail pending trial.

Federal Judge Brooke Wells focused on Kingston’s role in moving $52 million to Turkey as a reason not to grant him release before trial. Wells was concerned that money could be used to help Kingston flee to Turkey, a country currently not extraditing suspects to the United States.

“You paint your client as a pawn — a weak person who is vulnerable to the desires of his brother and co-defendant,” Wells told the defense attorney.