'Sister Wives' Family on Bigamy Investigation: 'Risk Worth Taking'

By Zach Dionne Posted Sep 28th 2010 03:26PM

'Sister Wives' Family Investigated for Felony Bigamy

The stars of TLC's new reality show 'Sister Wives' are the subject of an investigation by police in Lehi, Utah. The series features salesman Kody Brown, his four wives and their 13 children and stepchildren.

In response to the investigation, the Brown family issued the following statement to PopEater: "We are disappointed in the announcement of an investigation, but when we decided to do this show, we knew there would be risks. But for the sake of our family, and most importantly, our kids, we felt it was a risk worth taking."

Police told PEOPLE Monday they were looking into the family's situation before the show's Sunday premiere, and confirmed that publicity surrounding the series prompted the legal curiosity.

"At the conclusion of the investigation, the evidence will be forwarded to the Utah County Attorney's Office for review and possible prosecution," Lt. Darren Paul said.

According to PEOPLE, bigamy is classified as a third-degree felony in Utah but isn't often investigated.

See a clip from 'Sister Wives':

The family is content with their lifestyle, nontraditional -- and legally punishable -- as it may be. "If we raise productive, contributing members of society who are moral and ethical, that's our final goal, whatever their path is," says Janelle Brown, 40, who has six children with Kody.

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Comments

(235)

Tuesday 28 September

By rdrvr1752

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I think Lincoln said "What kills a skunk is the attention it attracts to itself."

By mks281

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I was wondering the same thing...how can they be flaunting breaking a federal law and making off the fact to boot! What a bunch of half-wits; their behavior is on par with prostitutes who make money off their sexuality.

By Fast Forward

What happens when all these children from all these different types of arrangements (donors, etc...) grow up to marry their brother or sister and find out much later down the line when they have children of their own with severe medical abnormalities?

By Pat

Since bigamy is illegal, he is only married to whichever one he married first. The others are just live-in mistresses and their children are illegitimate. I'm sure they all know that no matter what they choose to call themselves. They also obviously don't care.

By Sharon

Why waste your time on this? Look at the families that are ruined every day by cheating women and men because they are not happy. Look at the devastation of the children in these. We don't see anybody trying to make cheating illegal, do we? Cheating does more damage than this living arrangement. If it works for them, leave them alone. I think they shouldn't be making money out of it, though. TV has gone too far, anyway. The more ridiculous and sensational, the more people will watch. Pity, but that's the way it is.

By Bill Hilser

How many of the 'wives' are on welfare and how many children are on aid to dependent children with food stamps, etc?
That's the scam that Warren Jeffs and his flock of followers used in Arizona and Texas. They called it 'Bleeding the Beast.' -- Yer pal, Ferrari Bubba

By Brenda

'Sister Wives' Family These people are disgusting and sick minded...

By Missy

I find no fault in it as they are all consenting adults and chose this way of life. It is no different then a man having one legal wife and 3 girlfriends. They are not married in a legal court.. They get married in their church but it isn't legally binding. He is just a stud for these women to have children and he has to support them, Let them be.

By Bullet

TRASH T.V.

By ty

if a man can marry a man why can't i marry more than one woman.

By What*A*Crock

Why can't polygamist women marry more than one man? Why the double standard? It's a load of bullsh*t. If the husband can "fall in love" (?!) more than once, why aren't the women afforded those same feelings? Maybe the man isn't (ahem) "equipped" enough or virile enough to satisfy her, so why isn't she permitted the same variety? **THAT** is the biggest problem that I have with polygamy (but not the only one). What's good for the goose should be good for the gander.

cheating is illegal in some states. It's called alienation of afection and you can be sued in court by the spouse of the person you cheated with.

By stoowil

What I want to know is it really any different from a gentlemen who has a mistress who he maintains a long term relationship with and may even have children with. Really whats the difference? I do not see anyone investigating this guys.

By jradio22man

DAMN I thought the story might have been about Mitt Romney

By rfarmour

They should prosecute these sick people I hope they lose everything and end up in prison

Saturday 02 October

By daisy dukes

and I hope someday the great wizard of OZ gives you a brain.

By John

Who gives. Each is own. If their family does not care. Why should you all? Look at the Royal blood line that line is run pretty tight over the years. I don't like the idea of the hole show but it goes on. If there was not a show about it you people would not care at all. So get over yourselfs!!!

By PatrickPain

It throws all morals out the door. This is not ok and against the law.

By kittyfriskywhiskers

Also...with all of the unprotected sex going around constantly, how do these people keep from getting STD's? Sharing your partner is just gross, knowing just where that body part has been hours before. Ick. These polygamist men (pigs) just want a way to justify "having their cake and eating it too". It's as bad as someone using the sex addict excuse to justify sleeping around. It's nothing more than a viable excuse for men to have variety in a relationship. Bullsh*t. Women have the same human feelings as men, but yet are denied the same privileges...double standards.

By Mr. Lee

And just what do you think the law is going to do when the Muslims practice their "rights" to having 4 wives and a mistress? You'd better get with the program people. The Government is set to take action on a citizen of the U.S. that they do not plan on taking with Muslim immigrants.

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