LDS aid for Prop. 8 scrutinized

SAN FRANCISCO — California officials will investigate whether The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accurately described its role in a campaign to ban gay marriage in the state.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission said Monday that a complaint by a gay-rights group merits further inquiry.

Executive director Roman Porter says the decision does not mean any wrongdoing has been determined.

Fred Karger, of Californians Against Hate, accuses the church of failing to report the value of work it did to support Prop. 8.

The church could not be reached for comment but in the past, spokesman Scott Trotter has said the allegations are "false" and that Karger's complaint has "many errors and misstatements."

Trotter said the church "has fully complied with the reporting requirements of the California Political Reform Act. ...

"Claims that the church has violated the act and failed to report political expenditures made by the church are false. The church has, in fact, filed four reports with California authorities; these reports are a matter of public record. A further report will be filed on or before its due date, Jan. 30, 2009."

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Contributing: Deseret News staff