Civil Rights Lawsuit against Utah Attorney General

Complaint Document and Exhibits.... view here!

On Wednesday, January 22nd 2014, daddy Jake Strickland's birthday, Wesley Hutchins, our attorney, filed a civil rights lawsuit against the prior Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and up and coming Attorney General John Swallow on behalf of 12 birthfathers who have been defrauded from their biological children due to Utah's unethical and unconstitional laws.

Since 2010, the Utah Attorney General's office has been aware of numerous complaints calling the Utah Adoption Act unconstitutional and they have turned a blind eye to the fraud and deception that has been going on. There were many instances where the Attorney General Mark Shurtleff could have made recommendations to the legislature about changes that were needed in order to provide father's equal rights, but they did nothing.

In August 2011, on a dateline episode regarding John Wyatt, Cody O'Dea, Ramsey Shaud, and other father's who have been defrauded by Utah's unethical adoption laws, Attorney Mark Shurtleff at the time was intereviewed and asked what he thought of Utah's laws regarding birthfathers? He said he was unaware of issues, but he would look into it and make recommendations to the legislature. Nothing has come from this.  Directly following the airing of this episode, we had emailed the Attorney General's Office to informa them of Jake's case and they emailed us and said this was not a matter that was regarding Utah, but more a civil matter.

In September 2012, John Swallow was talked to in a private meeting off the record during upcoming election meetings about a proposed bill that was being presented by Democrat Christine Watkins about providing mandatory notice to fathers that an adoption would be taking place. Swallow acknowledged that he supported the bill, but he said "We backed the wrong horse to sponsor the bill" meaning it wouldn't pass because it was supported by a democrat.

By law any time their is a challenge to a constitionality issue of a law, you are required to send a certified copy of the complaint to the Attorney General's office. Our attorney Wes Hutchins, has been doing that since 2010, and has notified the Utah Attorney General's Office at least 5 times in the past 4 years, with no response whatsoever.

The purpose of this lawsuit is to get the Utah Adoption Act overturned and deemed unconstiutional to STOP babyselling in Utah, and depriving willing, able men from raising their children. This lawsuit will hopefully deter birthmothers, agencies, attorneys and others from consipring to defraud men from having their relationship severed from their biological children.

We will not stop until the laws are changed and men have an equal opportunity and say to raise their children.

The wheels are turning and things will be happening. Stay tuned people, things are going to get interesting.