Cheryl Maher Encounter: Kevin Garn Confession Video

Maher's life unraveled over the next years, which she attributes to the incident. She has struggled with pills and alcohol and mental health issues.She said she did not have contact with Garn until 2002 when she learned that he was running for U.S. Congress and was in the middle of a Republican primary.At the time she was president of her LDS ward's Young Women's group, but she had a pill problem and, by her admission, "was a mess."Maher made initial contact with reporters and within a few days Garn and his wife, Tanya, had arranged a meeting with Maher and her Mormon bishop. They met and Garn apologized for the incident and a short time later offered her $20,000.

Representative Garn said he now wants to be open about what happened, rather than living in fear. He says he told his wife Tanya and the rest of his family about the incident years ago, and received forgiveness.

"I may not deserve their forgiveness, but they have given it. My primary concern at this point is that my wife and the rest of my family know how much I love them. I'm sorry for this incident," Garn said. 

Garn also publically apologized to the woman for the incident. "And I apologize to you, my colleagues for any shame this brings to the Utah Legislature."

After the speech, Garn received overwhelming support from his colleagues.