Religion Roundup
Senate Panel to Consider Need for Polygamy Task Force
Associated Press
July 24, 2008
CAPITOL HILL - The Senate Judiciary Committee meets today to consider whether federal help is needed to probe an embattled polygamous church for possible crimes, including racketeering.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who's Mormon, requested the hearing and was scheduled to testify in support of legislation creating a federal polygamy task force.
Reid's spokesman says it would increase collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and provide public assistance to women leaving polygamous groups.
The hearing comes two days after a Texas grand jury indicted six members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for alleged felony child sexual abuse and other crimes.
The church's lawyer says it's unfortunate that the Senate panel won't let church members testify.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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