Crooked land developer Charles Tucker loathed Santa Cecilia County. After the county government prosecuted him for fraud, he swore vengeance. At his death, he left his fortune in a trust and required that every cent be spent in Santa Cecilia. He suspected that his wealth would cause misery, envy, loathing, and avarice. He was right.

The spectacular trust fund creates a feeding frenzy among covetous contenders, from committed altruists to adept con artists. Expensive lawyers and their eager clients vie to garner the trust funds for their programs, from a woman's center to a junk science...