Salt Lake City – Numerous reports are emerging that a special investigator with the Utah Lt. Governor’s office, assigned to investigate an election law violation complaint filed in March by the good government group Alliance for a Better UTAH, has chosen to recommend that State Attorney General John Swallow be charged with multiple misdemeanor offenses. Under state law, the penalty for being found guilty of an election law violation is removal from office.
Officials with Better UTAH have issued the following statement:
“We appreciate the thorough investigation afforded our complaint by both the Lt. Governor’s office and the special counsel appointed by the Lt. Governor. It is important to remember that the report has not yet been made public. The result of the election law violation investigation – and all of the investigations into the Attorney General – should be made fully public so as to protect the integrity of Utah’s election system as well as the integrity of the Attorney General’s office. We hope the investigation will continue to receive the sort of expedited and heightened scrutiny that such a serious matter deserves. Nothing should be hidden from view.
“There is a further report circulating that the Attorney General may resign his position. Whether the Attorney General resigns or is removed, state law provides that the Governor appoint an interim Attorney General and allow the public to elect a replacement during the 2014 elections. However, we believe that in these extraordinary circumstances, not only does the public deserve to elect Swallow’s replacement as soon as possible, but, if guilty, Swallow deserves the stigma of removal from office.”
TIMELINE:
March 8, 2013 – Election law violation complaint filed by Alliance for a Better UTAH with the Utah Lt. Governor’s Office
March 14, 2013 – Utah Legislature suspends legislative rules on the last day of the 2013 legislative session to adopt a change to the Utah election code insuring that the Attorney General is not in a position to investigate himself in the case of accusations of election law complaints
May 10, 2013 – The Lt. Governor’s office submits an RFP for special counsel to investigate election law violation claims
July 23, 2013 – Law firm Snell & Wimmer is selected to investigate possible election law violations
November 20, 2013 – Reports emerge that the Lt. Governor’s office will recommend Swallow be charged with multiple election law violation
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Alliance for a Better UTAH | 801.557.1532 | www.betterutah.org
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The Alliance for a Better UTAH is a year-round, multi-issue education and advocacy organization providing resources, commentary, and action on important public policy matters.