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SALT LAKE CITY -- The woman at the heart of the scandal involving now-former Utah House Majority Leader Kevin Garn says she contacted ecclesiastical leaders "many times" about what happened in 1985.
Cheryl Maher, in a new statement sent to KSL Newsradio late Sunday night, says she was turned away by bishops from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Many times over the past 25 years I have done my best to reach out to church leaders and release the shame of the past and every time I was once again silenced," Maher said. "I believe the Church holds a great deal of responsibility in this and if the proper accountability would have been given at the times of my reports then all of this could have been avoided."
The LDS Church confirms a letter from Maher was sent to the First Presidency in 2008, and it was referred to local ecclesiastical leaders. Church disciplinary matters are handled at a local level and not at Church headquarters, a statement said.
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has zero tolerance for sexual abuse of any kind, especially instances involving minors," spokesman Scott Trotter said in the statement. "It takes such allegations very seriously. When allegations of abuse surface it is a tragedy for all involved."
The LDS Church said it could not disclose any specifics of whatever meetings took place, citing legal requirements concerning priest-penitent privilege. It said it would continue to follow the matter to determine if any further action is appropriate.
Maher, in her statement, also further explains why she went public with details of the hot tub incident when she did, questioning how she could ask her children to tell the truth when she couldn't claim to do the same.
She also says as she felt her life "spiraling out of control," she watched "as Kevin's life grew on a pedestal."
"I have done ‘what was best' for Kevin Garn, the Garn family, the political party, the people of Utah and the desires of several other very selfish people that have come and gone in my life," Maher said. "Now finally, I am doing what is best for Cheryl - it's my turn to put me and my children first."
Maher says Garn paid her $150,000 in 2002 to keep quiet about the 1985 nude hot tub encounter. Garn told lawmakers late Thursday night the encounter was "non-sexual."
Garn, R-Layton, resigned as a state representative Saturday.
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
