Former Children’s Miracle Network leader faces upcoming fraud trial in Utah

James Larry Hall II, who previously headed the Utah-based Children’s Miracle Network, will stand trial on a series of second-degree felony counts, including theft and communications fraud, as well as a third-degree charge of wrongful appropriation. The accusations stem from his management of the National Benefit Partners Insurance Agency in 2003, not from any wrongdoing at the charity. Following the filing of charges in February, two 3rd District judges stepped aside due to conflicts, leading Judge Ann Boyden to accept the case after reviewing the file.

A four-day trial is scheduled for the first week of June, with a final pre-trial conference set for May 18. Hall resigned from his nonprofit role in September, and the proceedings focus solely on the alleged insurance-agency misconduct.