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Utah's Kevin Garn Admits Skinny Dipping w/ Cheryl Maher, 15: 1983

by Liz McKibbon | March 12, 2010 at 08:23 am

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Utah's Republican House majority leader Kevin Garn admitted in 1983 he went skinny dipping with Cheryl Maher, 15. The incident was not sexual, but "clearly inappropriate," says Garn.

It wasn't until nearly 20 years later, in 2002, that the incident resurfaced while Garn was running for Congress. Maher took this opportunity to come out to the media. She claimed the incident had affected her negatively and she was still dealing with it.

Shortly thereafter, my wife and I met with her, and at her demand, I paid her $150,000. While this payment felt like extortion, I also felt like I should take her word that the money would help her heal. She agreed to keep this 25-year-old incident confidential. Now that this issue is coming up again, it is apparent to me that this payment was also a mistake.

Kevin Garn continued his statement with a heartfelt and genuine apology to his colleges. He admitted the encounter to his wife and children years ago, and has since gained their forgiveness.

Garn admits he should have come out about the incident earlier, but was scared about the repercussions and embarrassment it would cause for both himself and the Utah State Legislature. Garn received a standing ovation of support from his fellow House members.

Garn was the House's point man on a series of legislative ethics bills this year that were designed to restore the public's faith in the Legislature after recent accusations of bribery.

Sheldon Killpack, Utah's former majority leader, resigned this year after being arrested for a DUI following six years of service. Garn is not expected to resign over the incident.

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Liz McKibbon

at 09:41 on March 12th, 2010

Agreed. I am simply reporting the news as I see it. Considering GOP members typically have a more strict moral point-of-view, it makes more of a splash when scandal arises.

It is a good point, and should be noted, that the age of consent has risen over the years. However, we are not in the times of American revolution, nor were we in 1983. Yes, there was a time when the marriage of a 12 year old and a 30 year old was considered appropriate; But in this country, it is not today... in my lifetime or in Garn's lifetime.