| U.S. attorney for Utah to testify before Senate committee on polygamy | |
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Reported by: Annie Cutler ABC 4 News | |
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Utah's U.S. Attorney is heading to Washington to talk about polygamy. Brett Tolman is on the witness list for Thursday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capital Hill. He talked Tuesday about his thoughts on a possible federal task force to explore crimes associated with polygamy. The hearing was requested by Senator Harry Reid of Nevada. He's been pushing for a federal task force since the Texas raid on the Yearning for Zion ranch. Tolman questions whether it will add to what's already being done. Tolman is the second speaker on the list, right after Senator Reid. Tolman says, "At the heart is Senator Reid and his efforts to organize a federal task force or to bring attention to that issue." Senator Reid angered some Utah officials regarding the issue of polygamy and how it's being handled. Tolman says, "I certainly will defend what we've done here in the state of Utah." Tolman claims organizing a federal task force will produce what Utah - and nearby states - already have in the works, "We have great communication, great cooperation and coordination between state, local, and federal law enforcement." He continues, "If Senator Reid wants to introduce a bill that will funnel more or additional resources to our community and others to deal with this than who am I to turn it down, but I don't think it's going to change the way we have done things or the way we will do things from here on out." When asked about charges coming out of the current criminal investigation into the FLDS Tolman said he is confident charges will be filed. Others expected at the hearing are a number of FLDS members. They won't testify, but the sect is presenting a statement for the record. Attorney General Mark Shurtleff was also invited to testify, but he's still recovering from his leg surgery and can't make it. | |
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ABC4.com Originally broadcast July 22, 2008 | |
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