From Deseret News archives:
Salt Lake County may tweak law on campaign funds
The move comes after a team of prosecutors on Wednesday declined to launch a full-blown investigation into accusations of coerced third-hand campaign contributions to Lohra Miller, the Republican candidate for district attorney.
Prosecutors from the Salt Lake District Attorney's and Utah Attorney General's offices decided that criminal penalties for violating the county's proxy contribution law only apply to elected officials. Since Miller is just a candidate and not an incumbent, the prosecutors said it would be a waste of public tax dollars to investigate a matter that isn't even a crime.
But the County Council plans to consider tweaking the campaign-contribution law after the Nov. 7 election, according to several council members, including both Democrats and Republicans.
"What's fair is fair," Councilman Randy Horiuchi said Thursday. "Something needs to be done."
The problems started after a former Wasatch Property Management employee said she was one of 12 employees who received $2,000 bonuses and were then allegedly ordered to sign the cash over to Miller's campaign fund.
The council wants to find a way to make the penalty equal for all candidates, Horiuchi said. But if Horiuchi had his way, no criminal penalties would be imposed at all, unless there was an egregious violation of election law. Instead, he wants to possibly charge violators a fine.
The council will also consider how to change the law so that companies including those that are not contractors for the county found in violation of the proxy contribution code can be criminally charged, Horiuchi said. Wasatch Property Management does not have a contract with Salt Lake County.
University of Utah political science professor Matt Burbank said that even though Miller did not violate the law, voters will remember.
"The question here might be, 'How is this person conducting her campaign, and is it all above board?"' Burbank said. "If voters have questions about that, if they even think something is wrong here, they are usually not going to vote for that person."
John Flynn, a former University of Utah law professor who initially filed a complaint with the attorney general's and district attorney's offices asking for an investigation into the proxy contributions, said that although Miller didn't break the law, she violated the spirit of the law. Voters need to know who is giving money to candidates, he said.
E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com
Comments
- Island whipping doesn't thrill Andersen 9:18 p.m.
- 5A all-state soccer first team 9:14 p.m.
- Canyons chief named law group's v.p. 9:06 p.m.
- Rock on 9:00 p.m.
- Lobo land like home for BYU lineman 8:57 p.m.
- 3A soccer all-state first team 8:56 p.m.
- U. hopes to keep clicking 8:28 p.m.
- Steelers lead Broncos at halftime 8:13 p.m.
- Jazz win in N.Y. for 1st time since '04 8:02 p.m.
- Suns outlast 76ers, 119-115 7:51 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Prep girls soccer MVPs named
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- GOP blasts Matheson after vote
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
269 - House passes health care bill
225 - Lobo suspended
181 - TCU showdown has big implications
178 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
113 - Thousands protest health bill
111 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
95
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
If you all were paying attention, you'd see it's the government lawyers who...
Good luck dixie! Represent region 9 well
Let's all cross our fingers and hope this passes! Discrimination of any kind...
As opposed to little number - bad opponent? So, the real question: after...
Dear censor: why do you let John Pack Lambert hijack every single comments...
Ben Franklin ultimate liberal. Signing the abolitionist petition to Congress....
It's official Coach needs a tuna fish sandwich and a road map and someone to...
Were you watching the same game that the rest of us were? Sharp was ready to...
Yes Unemployment officially only hit 7.8% under Carter with Inflation of...
Once again the Jazz prove they are unable to put together a solid 48 minutes...


You can be the first to comment on this story.