Two former Utah attorneys general face a combined 23 counts of bribery, tampering with evidence and obstructing justice.
Local police and FBI agents on Tuesday arrested John Swallow 51 years old, and Mark Shurtleff, 56, after a two-year investigation into corruption in the office of the state’s top law-enforcement agency.
“This has been a complex, nuanced, large investigation. There are multiple leads that are being continued to be investigated,” Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said at a news conference after the arrests. “The investigation is still active.”
Messrs. Swallow and Shurtleff, both Republicans, were arrested on bribery charges related to what officials characterized as cozy relationships with businessmen. They were each released on $250,000 bail after several hours in custody. If convicted of the most serious charges, each man could be sentenced to a maximum of 15 years in state prison, the Associated Press said.
Officials allege that Messrs. Swallow and Shurtleff accepted gifts, including stays in luxury hotels, the use of private planes and thousands of dollars in cash or campaign contributions. The pair are accused of trying to cover up their activities by destroying emails and lying to investigators.
Mr. Shurtleff, Mr. Swallow’s predecessor as state attorney general, has denied wrongdoing. Mr. Shurtleff’s attorney, Max D. Wheeler, didn’t return calls seeking comment.
The Salt Lake Tribune quoted Mr. Wheeler complaining to a Utah radio host about alleged unethical tactics by prosecutors, including leaks to the press, which he said undermines his client’s right to a fair trial.
Mr. Swallow took office in January 2013, and resigned less than a year later. Regarded as one of the state’s more conservative Republicans, he previously served in the state House and mounted an unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Congress.
Mr. Swallow’s attorney, Stephen McCaughey, didn’t respond to a request for comment. The AP quoted him as indicating his client maintains his innocence.
“This is a sad day for Utah,” Republican Gov. Gary Herbert said in a statement Tuesday. “The entire situation…is a black eye for our state.”
Yup, that is really hard to swallow…er….sorry.
I’m not surprised. Power corrupts no matter what party you belong to. The difference is bringing those who have broken the law to a swift trial. In this case just two years from beginning to arrest.
In the mean time back in DC a long and growing list of reported and alleged laws have been broken, but after more than two years of investigations there is no hope of anyone being charged for wrong doings.
The latest is the WH refusing to honor a congressional subpoena for an aid to answer questions. Why does this administration get away with not honoring subpoenas? Why are the above the law and not held to the same standards as us citizens?
White House Lawlessness: Political Aide Suspected of Crimes Blocked from Testifying to Congress:
http://www.ijreview.com/2014/07/157762-see-obama-administration-behaves-lawlessly/
Here’s your laugh for today courtesy of Jimmy Fallon.
Why Obama Will Never Be Impeached – But One Great Benefit of It:
http://www.ijreview.com/2014/07/157983-jimmy-fallon-hilarious-reason-obama-will-never-impeached-can-see-upside/
99% of Politicians are corrupt. From the time you run for city council our laws say the billionaire types can bribe You.
What does Party have to do with anything? Until one admits millionaires are in our elections down to out of their state local levels …..and help us do something ….I see no right to complain about any corruption.
The platform is no taxes for Corporations and high taxes for the shrinking middle class…
Corrupt politicians? I do not see why anybody cares? That is what you get with Citizens United… so if you are for it why complain?
Anybody who votes blindly for a team?
It is not illegal for a politician to lie… and they do often
“…no taxes for Corporations and high taxes for the shrinking middle class…”
JustFacts.com:
Middle class earners get deductions (loopholes) too! (see chart “Effective Federal Taxes by Income of Households”)
Dewey some of your concerns are concerns we share but you are not in possession of the facts.