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Taylorsville • Bruce Wisan — the man in charge of a state-run, polygamous trust — sought to resolve the prostitution case against him Friday with a plea in abeyance.

Wisan, 68, who did not appear in court on Friday, submitted an affidavit pleading no contest to one count of class B misdemeanor, as charged, said defense attorney Greg Skordas.

The plea would be held in abeyance for 12 months, at which time the case will be dismissed, so long as Wisan commits no new crimes.

Wisan also must pay $680 in court costs and continue counseling sessions he attends with his wife, Skordas said.

"It was in everyone's best interest to resolve the case," Skordas said.

As part of the plea deal, prosecutors will dismiss a contempt of court case against Wisan for failing to appear in court to testify against the woman accused of being the prostitute.

The plea needs the approval of Taylorsville Justice Court Judge Marsha Thomas.

If convicted of the class B misdemeanor, Wisan could have faced up to six months in jail.

The case centers on March 20, 2013, when a Unified Police Department officer found Wisan and the woman in a motel on Redwood Road. According to a police report, Wisan said he was helping the woman "financially until she got back onto her feet."

The officer asked if Wisan had any sexual contact with the woman.

"Bruce stated he had not," the officer wrote, "and that he was only helping her with money."

Wisan said he met the woman on the Internet, according to the report and a deposition Wisan gave July 30 in a UEP-related lawsuit. The officer returned to questioning the woman, who said Wisan "was just a friend helping her out financially."

The woman at first denied she and Wisan had sex, but then said she and Wisan had engaged in sexual activity, according to the officer's report.

Wisan previously had been called as a witness in the misdemeanor case against the woman. He was issued a subpoena to testify in Taylorsville Justice Court for a trial in June and another in July. He did not appear either time.

Wisan's attorney, Catherine Cleveland, has said Wisan was out of town for the June date. For the July trial, Wisan was testifying in Salt Lake City at a hearing regarding the UEP. Cleveland appeared on Wisan's behalf at the July trial, which was canceled after the 26-year-old defendant failed to appear.

A warrant has been issued for her arrest, though Cowdell said he has been in contact with her attorney and they are discussing a plea deal for her, too.

Taylorsville prosecutors filed the solicitation charge against Wisan on Aug. 5.

Wisan is the fiduciary for the state-run, polygamous trust called the United Effort Plan, which holds most of the property in Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., as well as property in Bountiful, British Columbia. Since being charged in the prostitution case, Wisan has filed a notice saying he is willing to be terminated as fiduciary if 3rd District Judge Denise Lindberg, who presides over the UEP case, sees fit. The attorneys general in Utah and Arizona have filed motions with Lindberg asking that she replace Wisan with his former accounting partner, former Utah Lt. Gov. Val Oveson.

Twitter: @tribunepolygamy