Ethics struggles on tape
Lawmakers uncertain of duty in Hughes probe
Hughes, R-Draper, was ultimately cleared of all charges against him including that he offered a former House member a "substantial" sum of campaign funds if she would switch her vote on private school vouchers with both Republicans and Democrats saying the current process should be changed.
Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, who was accused by one Ethics Committee Republican of "being at the core" of the complaint against Hughes, even though she didn't ultimately sign the complaint, said Tuesday that her experience in the two-year, ongoing issue "tells me that the Legislature can't investigate" its own members for ethics complaints.
"There has to be a better way a way that is not so miserable for all involved, miserable for those who bring the complaint and miserable for those who the complaint is brought against," Allen said.
Hughes said Tuesday that he, too, believes the system doesn't work. Standing by his earlier
Asked if she would do it all again, having gone through what she has, Allen said she would go to GOP House leaders with the concern (as she did) over a colleague's actions. "And I'd hope that now we'd get a better outcome" in working behind the scenes, rather than having to file a public ethics complaint.
In her testimony last October, Allen was confronted with a statement that she didn't trust former House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, (who was defeated in re-election) to properly handle the Hughes matter.
And current GOP House leaders apparently don't trust Allen. House Majority Leader Kevin Garn, R-Layton, who acted as a go-between with Allen and leaders in the Hughes matter last summer, told the committee last year that Allen "is not looking for the truth, but seeks a political agenda ... a new weapon (against opponents) of filing an ethics complaint in an election year to destroy a career."
A review by the Deseret News of a number of hours of the testimony (which can be found at le.state.ut.us), gives further arguments to both sides those who accused Hughes of improper actions, and those who support him, saying he's a victim of a mean political attack.
Recent comments
I think its kind of deceiving to report that Rep Hughes was cleared...
Linda | Jan. 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m.
If everyone agrees that there has to be an independent ethics group...
Just Do It | Jan. 14, 2009 at 12:23 p.m.
This kind of political manuvering by opponents in an election should...
Invalidate the election | Jan. 14, 2009 at 4:41 a.m.
- Funds for new courthouse approved 1:48 a.m.
- Godfrey vetoes Ogden budget 1:48 a.m.
- Odd Fellows Hall move 1:47 a.m.
- 2 country groups to perform 1:47 a.m.
- Rumor has Boozer with Bulls 1:20 a.m.
- Jazz in back of line for free agents 1:19 a.m.
- Okur signs two-year extension 1:18 a.m.
- Marion to Mavs, Stackhouse to Griz 1:16 a.m.
- Price for redistricting plan challenged 1:04 a.m.
- Basketball campers learn service 1:02 a.m.
- Rumor has Boozer with Bulls
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Okur signs two-year extension
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
- MWC, WAC rushed into BCS
- AK will not play for Russia this summer
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
138 - Letters: Palin mistreated
136 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
134 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
122 - Rumor has Boozer with Bulls
82 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
73 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70 - Letters: Time for a revolution
69
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
Blazers get the unbalanced trade they seek while not signing Millsap away...
Ricky Bobby - THE JAZZ DO NOT WANT TO TAKE BACK EQUAL SALARIES. They want to...
Despite the fact that logging has all but stopped in the pacific northwest...
My understanding of what FAIR is trying to do, is to provide well thought out...
Jazz will resign Milsap. If they don't it will be ahuge mistake. First off,...
I was waiting for it to be burned on the big metal structure right by the...
Hey Ute fan... the Utes had a good season. And keep throwing that BCS bowl...
Tyrus Thomas is in the last year of his contract too so what is the point for...
CougarKeith, people don't know how to properly retire the flag, what they did...
It is just talk but since it was brought up: IF we can get Prizbilla &...

