A Murray man has filed a lawsuit against the Utah state attorney general and his assistants for failing to defend Utah's Constitution by permitting polygamous or plural marriages.
In the suit filed Tuesday in 3rd District Court, Tom Snyder contends that "most every literate" Utahn is aware of LDS splinter groups that practice polygamous or plural marriages or co-habita-tion, yet few are arrested or prosecuted. Failure of state officials to act constitutes misconduct, obstruction of justice, conspiracy, collusion and breach of contract, the suit says.Snyder is specifically suing Utah State Attorney General Paul Van Dam and any assistant state attorney generals attached to that office. He says they are elected or appointed and the oath of office is a "legal, moral and ethical contract" to uphold the state and U.S. constitutions, the suit says.
The complaint written by Snyder, who is representing himself, says he suffers embarrassment and anguish when asked why law enforcement officers don't support the constitution and prohibit polygamous and plural marriages.
In the suit, Snyder says he believes that unless restrained by the court, state attorney generals will continue to violate the oath of the office to support, obey and defend the state constitution.
Snyder is entitled to a "permanent induction" that will end further spending of tax dollars to pay police officers who knowingly permit polygamous or plural marriages, the suit says.
In the complaint, Snyder requests an injunction prohibiting Utah state attorney generals from receiving their paychecks until all sworn officers "cease their diabolical scheme to undermine and/or circumvent the provisions" of the state constitution. He is also asking for payment that will ensure sworn officers will support and defend the constitution.