Michelle Benward, right, who ran a home for FLDS "lost boys," and Robert Snarr, left, with the Utah State Division of Substance and Mental Health, discuss their hopes of receiving legislative funding on Jan. 25, 2008. Benward acted as a "whistleblower" in a case alleging fraud at the shelter.
Laura Seitz, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — An investigation by the Salt Lake County Auditor and the Federal Bureau of Investigation into the a county-run AmeriCorps program resulted in a federal grand jury indictment Wednesday.
Richard Parks, the county's longtime AmeriCorps program director, was indicted on 25 counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, making false statements and theft from a program receiving federal funds. The indictment seeks $95,154 in restitution.
The 68-page report by the county Auditor Greg Hawkins details fraud, deceit, sexual trysts and an untimely death tied to the county's AmeriCorps program and its oversight of a shelter for "lost boys" of the polygamous FLDS Church. As one county investigator explained: "It's an incredible story. It's off the charts. It involves so many aspects of Utah culture."
To download and read the auditor's full report, click the link on the attachments box to the left.
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Dennis Romboy is a reporter for Deseret News where for the past 20 years he has covered a variety of beats including state and local government, human services and the 2002 Olympics. He spent six years as a special more ..
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