GOP leader faces ethics complaint

PROVO — Leaders of the Utah County Republican Party will discuss today a complaint filed against a Utah County candidate that accuses him of wrongfully using a party leadership position to promote his campaign.

GOP candidate Garr Judd, who said he plans to defend himself at the meeting with the party's Executive Committee, denies the accusations levied against him in a complaint submitted Thursday to county party officials.

Provo attorney Evan Schmutz wrote the complaint on behalf of Richard Jaussi, a member of the Executive Committee.

Jaussi, who is not running against Judd but said he became involved in the political brouhaha because he was concerned about the alleged unethical misconduct, said he didn't have to seek advice from an attorney before filing the complaint with the committee.

However, he said, he wanted legal advice about Judd's alleged actions held up against the party's bylaws.

According to the complaint, Judd was a legislative chairman for District 61. Rep. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, had represented the district since 1996 but announced she will not run for the House seat again because she is seeking a seat in the Utah Senate.

Republicans Judd, John Tinsley and Keith Grover filed papers for candidacy, as did Democrat Susan Chasson and Constitution Party candidate Steven Saunders.

The complaint states that Judd held a meeting at his house on March 14, just days after he filed papers for his candidacy, to train precinct leaders to run caucuses.

At caucuses, delegates are chosen. Delegates attend county and state conventions, where they choose who will represent the party on the ballot in the primary and general elections.

Campaign materials from U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, were openly displayed at his house. But Judd would not allow Tinsley's material up for display, the complaint states.

The complaint alleges that Judd violated bylaws of the county GOP that require party officers take leaves of absence while campaigning.

Bylaws also require party officers provide equal access to all party information, and Utah County Republican Party candidates maintain the "highest degree of honesty, morality and integrity," according to the complaint.

Judd disagrees with the complaint. He stepped down from his party responsibilities in January, when he decided to run for office, he said.