| OCR Text |
Show The Park Record Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, March 15-18, 2014 House Swallow report out Report: AG hung a ‘for sale' sign on his office door By MICHELLE L. PRICE Associated Press A House panel closed its investigation of former Attorney General John Swallow on Wednesday by releasing a report that says he traded favors with businessmen, obscured donations and destroyed records, among other allegations. The report, which contains nearly 4,000 documents, emails and other records, largely mirrors what investigators working for lawmakers detailed in December shortly after Swallow resigned. Swallow "hung a veritable `for sale' sign on the Office door that invited moneyed interests to seek special treatment and favors," the report alleges. Investigators said that before and during Swallow's time in office, "he cultivated a series of relationships with individuals and particular Utah-based industries that resulted in a pattern of benefits, including campaign contributions, political favors, and cash and other benefits, flowing back and forth between him and them." The report's release comes as the Utah State Bar announced Wednesday that it has been investigating Swallow since the allegations of wrongdoing against him appeared in the media starting in January 2013. Swallow, a Republican, has repeatedly denied the allegations made against him. His attorney, Rod Snow, did not immediately return messages Wednesday seeking comment. Snow has previously disputed the lawmakers' findings, calling their investigation unfair and one-sided. The allegations from House investigators cover Swallow's time before he joined the attorney general's office in 2009, his time serving as the office's Tom Williams/Getty Images Former Utah Attorney General John Swallow resigned from office in December after less than one year in office amid numerous allegations of wrongdoing and corruption. chief deputy, and his election to the top post in 2012. They found he offered unusual access to businessman Jeremy Johnson, who has accused Swallow of setting up a bribery plot. Johnson, who is facing dozens of federal fraud charges, is accused of using his Internetbased businesses to fraudulently bill hundreds of thousands of people. He has pleaded not guilty. Investigators said Swallow issued a favorable legal opinion to Johnson while enjoying benefits of the businessman's lifestyle, such as visits to his luxury houseboat. They also allege Swallow hid his efforts to court the payday-loan industry, whose donations were used to attack political opponents of Swallow and the industry. The report states a $20,000-plus political fundraiser for Swallow compromised a foreclosure lawsuit the attorney general's office was working on. The lawsuit, which would have benefited thousands of homeowners, was dropped to hide Swallow's conflict of interest in the matter, investigators said. Finally, investigators said that as they set out in fall of 2013 to look into these matters, Swallow destroyed and fabricated records and tried to alter witness statements. Snow, Swallow's attorney, said in December that no records were intentionally deleted and Swallow and his team spent time and money trying to recover them. House Speaker Becky Lockhart, a Provo Republican, said after receiving the report Wednesday that that $4 million investigation "was a high cost, but we cannot put a price on public trust." Swallow announced his resignation in late November after his nearly 11-month tenure as the state's top law enforcement officer was overshadowed by allegations of shady dealings with businessmen. He denied the allegations against him, but he said the personal toll and legal bills of multiple investigations, including the House probe, was too much. A day after Swallow announced he was stepping down, the lieutenant governor's office announced it has found Swallow purposely did not disclose financial interests and income on his 2012 campaign forms and tried to influence a review of the matter. Republican Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, whose office oversees elections, said he would not pursue penalties because Swallow had announced his resignation. Swallow and Snow denied the allegations in that report. Additionally, two Utah county attorneys, with the assistance of the FBI, are in the middle of a criminal investigation of Swallow and others. The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office and the Davis County Attorney's Office have filed criminal charges against an associate of Swallow as part of that investigation. In September, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it was closing a federal bribery probe without filing charges against Swallow. Swallow, who has not been charged with any crimes, was the subject of two cases before the Utah State Bar last year. The Bar on Wednesday released a statement noting the House investigative report contained allegations that could violate attorney ethics rules. The Bar's Office of Professional Conduct will review the report and any results from the county attorneys' investigation. Big Views From Luxury Home On 12+ Acres A-21 Deer Valley-WalK TO SKIING The Chateaux at Deer Valley, B388 - a luxury 2Br/3Ba condo/hotel across the street from skiing at Deer Valley resort… a perfect combination. $1,095,000 Karin Gage Associate Broker 435.901.0049 cell KarinGage@gmail.com karingage.com KJEMPE STORT SALG!! (that's Norwegian for super big sale) UP TO 60% OFF! • CASUAL WEAR • FUR & LEATHER • MEN'S & WOMEN'S SKI WEAR •AFTER SKI BOOTS 50% OFF ALL KIDS SKI WEAR! Open 8am Daily 435-649-2787 7700 Stein Way, Park City, Utah (Located at Stein Eriksen Lodge, In Deer Valley) FREE LOCAL DELIVERY & VALIDATED PARKING www.steineriksen.com SALE ! Offered At $1,995,000 8816 N Highfield Road | Silver Creek rk City ,U Pa The t Perfect views of Park City's three ski resorts from every room of this immaculate home. Main floor master, gourmet chef's kitchen, 5 fireplaces, private pond and more. If you like horses, there's the most well-planned horse arena, custom barn and pastures. Deer Valley finishes throughout. IN PRINT ONLINE MOBILE PARK RECORD PAR 649-9014 SERVING SUMMIT COUNTY SINCE 1880 Julie A. Hopkins R E A LT O R ® 435-901-0616 julie@jhparkcity.com KNOWS THE PARK CITY & DEER VALLEY MOUNTAIN LIFESTYLE photo by Pat McDowell from park record circa 1977 |
