Polygamist attorney alleges slander

SALT LAKE CITY, June 18 (UPI) -- Utah officials have been asked to "immediately correct" alleged misstatements about a polygamous sect that were provided to Texas authorities.

Rod Parker, an attorney and spokesman for the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints, argued in a letter made public Tuesday that profiles of sect leaders made before custody hearings of about 450 children YFZ Ranch in Eldorado, Texas, were slanderous, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Wednesday.

"As public servants, sworn to serve and protect the citizens, the spreading of slanderous statements such as these jeopardizes the trust of county officials, state officials, law enforcement and government officials of neighboring states, and private citizens," the letter to Utah officials said.

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff's office responded with its own statement saying they had no connection with the profiles, which included dossiers on 20 FLDS members considered potential threats during the Texas proceedings.

"Mr. Parker has accused our office of painting all polygamists with a broad brush and I think he is doing the same thing here by accusing us of making all sorts of false accusations," spokesman Paul Murphy said.