LDS Bishop Set for Trial in Failure to Report Case

NECN
February 23, 2012

http://www.necn.com/02/23/12/LDS-bishop-set-for-trial-in-failure-to-r/landing_nation.html?&apID=21bc2c7e02be4b6984e077a30750e4ca

A Mormon bishop is set for trial June 1 on charges of witness tampering and failing to report a teen girl's complaint of sexual abuse.

Prosecutors say 43-year-old Gordon Lamont Moon advised the 16-year-old girl last July not to report an alleged assault to authorities.

Utah courts spokeswoman Nancy Volmer says a judge in Duchesne's 8th District Court set the trial date on Thursday.

Moon faces a prison term of up to five years on each count if he's convicted of the two felony charges.

Moon's defense lawyer says others knew about the allegation but police charged only the church leader.

Utah law requires anyone to report suspicions of child abuse to authorities. Moon says he was unaware of that obligation.