Walker takes plea deal in bribery case

A one-time Republican candidate accused of bribery in the state treasurer's race has struck a plea deal, agreeing to provide testimony that breathes new life into an election scandal that may affect a pending judicial nomination.

"To this charge of inducement not to become a candidate, what is your plea: guilty or not guilty?" Salt Lake City Justice Court Judge John Baxter asked Mark Walker during an arraignment Friday.

"Guilty," Walker replied.

The plea in abeyance means that the class B misdemeanor charge will be dismissed after a year if Walker complies with the terms of his sentence. Baxter ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service and pay a $250 fine.

"Looking back on it, there was probably a mistake in judgment that I made. That's why I decided to take the plea," Walker said outside of court.

But the plea deal also requires Walker to provide information and testimony against others. State Treasurer Richard Ellis, who accused Walker of offering him a bribe, doubted he would be charged.

"I can't see any evidence that points to me," he told the Deseret News on Friday, adding that his attorney has assured him throughout the investigation that he is not a target.

Speaking outside of court, Salt Lake City prosecutor Sim Gill did not rule out prosecuting others, a change from statements he made last week.

"Certainly when you get full disclosure of information, the terrain changes," he said. "One of the challenges with this kind of case is truth."

Walker will meet with special prosecutors sometime in the next 30 days to provide that information, said his attorney Jim Bradshaw.

"There will be further meetings," Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings told the Deseret News Friday. "Beyond that, I'll comment no further."

Rawlings, a Republican, and Weber County Attorney Mark DeCaria, a Democrat, were named special prosecutors in the case by Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff who had a conflict of interest because he endorsed Walker.

DeCaria was recently nominated by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to fill a 2nd District judgeship. It's up to the state Senate to approve the nomination and some lawmakers are already grumbling privately about how the case was handled.

The Deseret News has confirmed Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, has been returned to the chairmanship of the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee. Buttars had been removed last session after he wrote a letter to a judge he'd helped get on the bench, complaining about a ruling against a friend.