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	LDS Church Says Local Leaders Handled Claims against Garn By Robert Gehrke Salt Lake Tribune March 14, 2010 http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_14672223 UTAH -- Allegations made by Cheryl Maher that she had hot-tubbed nude with Kevin Garn when she was 15 were taken seriously by the LDS Church, and were referred to Garn's local ecclesiastical leaders to be dealt with, a church spokesman said. In August 2008, Maher wrote a seven-page letter to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Thomas Monson describing the hot tub incident, its impact on her life and making other allegations against Garn. Five days later, she received a letter from Brook Hales, secretary to the First Presidency, that said, "Please be assured this matter will be given further review." LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter sent a statement late Friday to The Tribune , saying "legal requirements concerning priest-penitent privilege prevent the Church from talking about the specifics of meetings between members and ecclesiastical leaders." But, Trotter said, Maher's 2008 letter was referred to local leaders, who handle disciplinary matters. "The Church will continue to follow this matter to determine if any further action is appropriate," Trotter said. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has zero tolerance for sexual abuse of any kind, especially instances involving minors," Trotter said. "It takes such allegations very seriously. When allegations of abuse surface, it is a tragedy for all involved. Maher said Garn was her LDS Sunday School teacher when she was in the fourth grade, several years before the hot tub incident. In 2002, when Maher was talking to reporters, Garn and his wife Tanya met with Maher and her husband in her bishop's office in New Hampshire, and subsequently paid her $150,000 for her consent to conceal the incident. Maher has since been excommunicated from the church. Contact: gehrke@sltrib.com
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