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Judge hears arguments in Minuteman Project leadership struggle

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SANTA ANA, Calif. — Three board members of the Minuteman Project anti-illegal immigration group cannot spend donations until a lawsuit over the organization's leadership is resolved, a judge ruled Thursday.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Randell Wilkinson also barred the board members from using Minuteman Project letterhead and envelopes bearing the signature of founder Jim Gilchrist. However, the judge rejected Gilchrist's request to be named sole owner of the organization pending trial, said James V. Lacy, an attorney for the board members.

Gilchrist sued the group's board of directors last month for control after he was fired and accused of embezzling $400,000 in donations. He has denied the allegations.

Wilkinson also ordered all parties back to court April 25 for a hearing to determine whether the Minuteman Project's finances will be put in the care of a court-appointed trustee pending trial.

Both sides saw victory in the judge's tersely written, one-page ruling.

"The bottom line is, Gilchrist and his attorneys can't spin a loss into a victory," Lacy said. "This is a near-complete victory for my clients."

Gilchrist said he was eager to resume fighting illegal immigration.

"For four weeks now, we've essentially been fighting this legal battle and we've had only 20 percent of our time to devote to our mission," he said. "Now we'll be able to get back to 80 percent."

Gilchrist's group has about 200 spinoffs.