Reid: Federal prosecutor to review how to help combat polygamy
Reid, a Nevada Democrat, and Shurtleff each have tried in the past to get the federal government involved in fighting polygamy with little success. But now the recent raid on a Fundamentalist LDS Church compound in Eldorado, Texas — and a testy exchange between the two politicians last week — have brought the idea of federal involvement back up.
Earlier last month, Reid wrote U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey that federal involvement is "vital" in combating polygamy. Reid said he initially had asked former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to look at how the federal government could play a role, but nothing came of it.
Then, on a Utah radio show, Reid pegged the need for more federal involvement on what he said was the fact Utah and Arizona are not doing anything to fight it. Reid said he was "embarrassed" for the two states and their lack of progress on polygamy cases, while praising the raid on the FLDS compound in Texas.
Reid's remarks angered Shurtleff, as he outlined what the state has done to combat polygamy. Reid, who is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called Shurtleff shortly after to bury the hatchet. Shurtleff and Goddard also sent Reid a four-page letter outlining their states' action on fighting polygamy.
"Your comments to Utah media about state law enforcement efforts with regard to women and children living in Colorado City (Ariz.) and Hildale (Utah) were apparently made without full information about the significant progress made in our two states over the past several years," the attorneys general wrote, providing a detailed list of efforts the states have made, including putting FLDS leader Warren Jeffs in jail.
In Monday's letter, Reid said he was "pleased to learn more about the good work you have both undertaken to reduce child abuse, domestic violence and other serious violations of law within these communities." He said, too, though, that the letter confirmed "that federal assistance would strengthen your hand in this struggle."
Reid wrote that a "senior career prosecutor in the Deputy Attorney General's Office has been tasked to carry out this review" with Shurtleff, Goddard and Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto.
"Working together, I believe federal and state authorities can do even more to address the epidemic of lawlessness in polygamous communities throughout the southwestern United States," Reid wrote.
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