Brady McCombs

Associated Press

In this photo provided by the Davis County Sheriff's Office shows Lev Aslan Dermen.

Businessman Guilty in Polygamist Biodiesel Fraud Scheme

They stole nearly $500 million in government funds.

In this photo provided by the Davis County Sheriff's Office shows Lev Aslan Dermen. Openings arguments are set Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, in Utah for a California businessman who prosecutors accuse of being a key figure in a $511 million tax credit scheme carried out by two executives of a Salt Lake City biodiesel company linked to a polygamous group. The men from the polygamous group pleaded guilty last year to money fraud and other charges and are expected to testify against Lev Aslan Dermen, who has pleaded not guilty.

Trial Begins for Biodiesel Exec Tied to Polygamy, Fraud

The company created fake production records to get renewable-fuel tax credits and then laundered the proceeds.

Plan Allows Drilling, Grazing Near Monument

The land used to be off limits before President Trump downsized the protected area two years ago.

Twenty three Union Pacific train cars derailed on March 30, 2019, releasing an unknown quantity of propane after one car overturned about six to eight miles south of Eureka, Utah. Officials blew up 11 derailed tanker cars containing propane and biodiesel in a controlled detonation.

Officials Blow Up Derailed Train Cars

The controlled detonation was the safest way to deal with explosive material.

In this May 11, 2018, file photo, released by the South Jordan Police Department shows a traffic collision involving a Tesla Model S sedan with a fire department mechanic truck stopped at a red light in South Jordan, Utah. Heather Lommatzsch, the Utah driver who slammed her Tesla into the stopped firetruck at a red light while using the vehicle's semi-autonomous function, is suing the company.

Driver Sues Tesla After Autopilot Crash

The driver slammed her Tesla into a stopped firetruck at a red light earlier this year.

In this Oct. 23, 2009, file photo, coal trucks leave the coal-fired Hunter Power Plant just south of Castle Dale, Utah, after making a delivery. An appeals court has granted a request from President Donald Trump's administration to halt a plan for new pollution controls at Utah's oldest coal-fired power plants aimed at reducing haze near national parks.

Utah Pollution Controls Halted

The initial regulations were aimed at reducing haze near national parks.

In this Friday, June 16, 2017, photo, hydraulic engineering professor Michael Johnson looks at the water flow on a replica of the Oroville Dam spillway at Utah State University's Water Research Laboratory, in Logan, Utah. California water officials are relying on key hydrology tests being performed on the replica of the spillway to pinpoint what repairs will work best at the tallest dam in the U.S for a spillway that was torn apart in February.

Replica Helps Pinpoint Dam Repairs

Hydraulic engineers use a replica built out of wood, concrete and steel.

am Wheeler is dead after the high-performance bike he was testing at Utah's famed Bonneville Salt Flats fish-tailed, went airborne and crashed at 200 mph. He was 72.

Renowned Land Speed Racer, Engineer Dies

Sam Wheeler, an engineer from California, was known as an innovator and pioneer.