"Sister Wives" Family Under Investigation for Bigamy

SALT LAKE CITY (CBS/AP) A bigamy investigation has been launched into a polygamous family starring in a reality television show, police said Tuesday.

Lehi police Lt. Darren Paul has said the probe was triggered by the reality television show "Sister Wives," which features 41-year-old advertising salesman Kody Brown and his four wives, 13 children and three stepchildren. The TLC program premiered Sunday.

Brown is only legally married to Meri Paul, but also calls three other women his spouses: Janelle, Christine and Robyn. The three stepchildren are from Robyn's previous relationship.

Christine Brown declined to comment Tuesday, although the family issued a statement through TLC that it was disappointed.

"...When we decided to do this show, we knew there would be risks," the family said. "But for the sake of our family, and most importantly, our kids, we felt it was a risk worth taking."

The Browns have said they hoped that the reality show's peek into their lives would help broaden the public's understanding of plural families.

Although it is rarely prosecuted, bigamy is a third-degree felony in Utah, punishable by a prison term of up to five years. Under the law, a person can be found guilty of bigamy through cohabitation, not just legal marriage contracts.

Lehi police said the evidence gathered from the probe will be turned over to the Utah County attorney's office for possible prosecution. A telephone message left for Paul was not immediately returned Tuesday.

Utah last prosecuted a polygamist for bigamy in 2001. Tom Green, who was married to five women and drew the attention of Utah authorities after promoting his lifestyle on national TV talk shows, was convicted on bigamy, criminal non-support and child rape charges. He spent six years in prison and was released in 2007.

The Brown family's decision to do a reality TV show was sort an extension of that education work, said Wilde, who knows the family well. Now she fears an investigation will cast a pall over any progress and instill fear in plural families.

"If it really goes to a court situation, then our people are going to go right back into isolation," she said.

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