FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 09, 2011
Contact:
Maryann Martindale
Executive Director
Alliance for a Better UTAH
(801) 557-1532
maryann@betterutah.org
BETTER UTAH FILES HATCH ACT COMPLAINT AGAINST REPRESENTATIVE MIKE NOEL
Salt Lake City, Utah – In light of recent press statements with regard to the Hatch Act and potential violations by Representative Mike Noel, Alliance for a Better UTAH has filed a formal complaint and request for investigation with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.
In a recent ruling, Ogden Police Chief, John Greiner was found to be in violation of the Hatch Act by running for a partisan elective office while concurrently administering a local government department that receives federal funds. We believe that Representative Mike Noel and anyone else, who may be in a similar position, should be investigated for similar violations, resulting in a consistent enforcement of the Hatch Act.
Representative Noel has been an elected member of the Utah State House of Representatives since 2003 and has indicated his intention to continue in that capacity. Simultaneously, Representative Noel is employed as the Executive Director of the Kane County Water Conservancy District.
During 2010, the Kane County Water Conservancy District, of which Representative Mike Noel is listed as the leading administrator, received $5 million dollars of federal money through grants and loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the EPA, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Rules of the Hatch Act are clear:
State and Local Employees are prohibited from:
- Using their official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election or a nomination for office.
- Coercing, attempting to coerce, commanding, or advising a State or local officer or employee to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value to a party, committee, organization, agency, or person for political purposes.
- Being a candidate for partisan political office.
In light of the fact that no complaints have been previously filed, Alliance for a Better UTAH is filing this complaint.
Alliance for a Better UTAH | 801.427.3397 | www.betterutah.org