A former attorney and Mormon bishop in Vacaville is on trial for the sexual abuse of his then-11-year-old adopted daughter, and other church associates are giving some pretty damning testimony on the witness stand.

In today’s episode of It’s Often Clergy People and It's Never Drag Queens embroiled in real-world child sexual abuse scandals, the Vacaville Reporter brings us the news of the ongoing trial of James Glenn Haskell, a former attorney and Mormon bishop who now faces 16 counts of child sexual abuse in a Solano County Superior Court. Haskell and his wife had four adopted children, all of whom have since been removed from the home.

The most troubling allegations involve the eldest daughter, who was 11 years old at the time of the alleged crimes. Wednesday’s witnesses included a Solano County Child Welfare Services employee who’d visited the home, and two friends of the family and/or church associates who witnessed various suspicious behaviors at pool parties.

The now-16-year-old victim testified herself Monday of last week, describing “inappropriate touching” and a “tickling game” with which Haskell allegedly engaged with the children. She was 11 and 12 years old at the time, and also described that once, as punishment, the parents took away her clothes and made her wear a garbage bag.

On Monday of this week, the East Bay Times reported that jurors heard a phone call police had secretly wiretapped, in which another Mormon church congregant confronted Haskell with the allegations. “She said you touched her private parts underneath her underwear,” the caller told Haskell.

The Times reports that Haskell could be heard “stammering and breathing in exasperation” upon being confronted. And as the conversation goes on, Haskell does seemingly admit guilt, saying “Tell her I’m sorry,” and “If she gives us another chance, we’re all about supporting.” He also added, “I was wrong. I will do better.”

Haskell’s trial continues Monday, though he’s currently out of custody on $240,000 bail.

Related: Richmond Pastor Arrested on Charges of Sex Crimes Allegedly Against Underage Church Members [SFist]

Image: Superior Court of Solano

Briefly touched upon last week when the final batch of Prop 8 donor names unfurled, Utah citizens and the LDS Church spent more on getting Prop. 8 passed than previously known. According to the Salt Lake Tribune:

Utahans and the LDS Church spent significantly more than previously reported on last-minute efforts to push passage of California's ban of same-sex marriage, newly filed financial disclosures show.

Donations from as many as 1,025 individual and businesses in Utah to both sides of the Proposition 8 campaign totaled about $3.8 million, according to new filings with California's secretary of state, with more than 70 percent going to groups supporting the successful measure.

This is unnerving. And, most disconcerting, not at all surprising.

The California State Supreme court will begin hearing arguments on Prop 8 starting March 5. Be sure to watch it all go down at 9am on the California Channel. (Also, hey, no way, we have a California Channel! Who knew?)

Check out Stop8.org for comprehensive coverage about civil marriage equality in California.

A complaint filed by civil rights organization Californians Against Hate prompted the the California Fair Political Practices Commission to investigate the LDS Church and their work in supporting Proposition 8. It seems the Mormon church allegedly concealed just how big a role they played in initiating a ban into the California constitution that would bar same-sex couples from getting married. According to AP, "the investigation does not mean there was any wrongdoing, only that commission staff have found evidence to warrant further inquiry."

Now that we've gotten all the childish bile out of our system, please check out these sites aiming to bring people together in the fight for gay marriage. These people deserve lavish praise and tons and tons of our attention if we're going to stop Prop. 8 from snowballing out of control.

• Mormons for Marriage: A progressive LDS site that lets the world know that not all Mormons (LDS church members) oppose gay marriage. It also shares LDS church perspectives on both homosexuality and gay marriage with other Mormons who are meaningfully exploring the issues for the first time.
• LDS 4 Gay Marriage: Discusses how same-sex marriage "is in no way contrary to the Constitution or official LDS doctrine (or the Bible)." Those of you who agree or disagree, legally, logically or doctrinally, are invited to share thoughts, questions and concerns.
• Signing for Something: A grassroots effort of members and friends of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) "united in their desire to speak their conscience on the matter of civil marriage." Here you can write a letter or sign a petition that "assures us that no person or group’s religious views are allowed to be binding on the public."
• Shame on LDS: A perturbed site full of reformed LDS members.
• Seeking Forgiveness: Apologies from Mormons "who wish to find peace and reconciliation following the LDS Church's involvement in passing Proposition 8."

If you come across any other sites like the above, feel free to stick them in the comments. Thanks for your support.

No-on-8 folks, this isn't necessary.

Lord knows the other side, if you will, is just waiting for the stop Prop. 8 movement to use its salad fork during the entree course, so let's keep venom such as the above -- found in Noe Valley, shot on Sanchez Street from the Castro -- to a minimum.

Really, this is almost as hateful as the people who voted for Prop. 8. And it's unfair to LDS ilk who actively fought against Prop. 8.

Or, do you think otherwise? And... why?

Update: The sign has been removed.