House members tried several years ago to stop the practice. After some nasty leadership races, House members toughened their lobbyist ethics rules, putting in a process whereby a lobbyist could be fined, even stripped of his lobbying permit, which could cost some lobbyists up to $200,000 a year.

Like the current ethics investigations against House members themselves, a complaint against a lobbyist must come in writing by three legislators. A secret hearing process then proceeds, with the sitting speaker and minority leader interviewing all involved. If warranted, a formal hearing before the bipartisan House Management Committee is publicly called.

But before that public action is taken, the speaker and minority leader can "chastise" any lobbyist in private, the rule says, and the complaint ends there. And by law, the leaders can't talk about any action taken to discipline a lobbyist short of the public management committee hearing.

Curtis, who said he has not asked and would not condone any lobbyist lobbying GOP caucus members on his behalf, said he's heard that three legislators this fall signed a letter against a lobbyist but never sent it to Stephens.

"Some (lawmakers) believe that they were challenged (within the Republican Party) this year just based on who they may support in the speaker's race," said Curtis. "But no one knows that for certain. And to my knowledge, no formal complaint has ever been filed against a lobbyist" either this year or in years past.

The rule says the judgment of the committee against a lobbyist may include anything not prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.

"Maybe I'll have to go into hiding," said Wilson when informed of the penalties allowed. "But I didn't know any better."

Headlee said he started his own investigation of complaints against Evans after a legislator called him because "I have to guard the reputation of my association."

The UBA has been in a bitter legislative fight with the Utah League of Credit Unions for several years. The league openly opposed former House Majority Leader Kevin Garn in the 2002 1st Congressional District race and opposed Stephens this year when he sought the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

"I did not lobby in the leadership race," said a clearly upset Evans on Monday.

"We do not get involved in leadership races and we shouldn't," said Headlee, who as a full-time lobbyist during each Legislature knows the ins and outs of political pratfalls on Capitol Hill.

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E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com