State Sen. Jon Greiner found in violation of federal law

State Sen. Jon Greiner, a Republican who also serves as Ogden's police chief, has been found in violation of a federal act prohibiting government officials who receive federal funds from running for office.

Greiner was out of town Monday and not available for comment, but his attorney, Jim Bradshaw, called the decisions "really unreasonable."

Bradshaw said Greiner, who filed for re-election to his District 18 Senate seat, has been given two weeks to drop out of the race or the city of Ogden will face the loss of federal funds.

In a statement, Greiner said he would abide by the decision of the Ogden mayor and City Council. Bradshaw said city officials have been supportive of Greiner and have not yet made a decision.

Greiner was accused during his first bid for the Legislature four years ago of violating the 1939 federal Hatch Act by the state Democratic Party. Last week, Bradshaw said a federal administrative law judge issued an opinion that Greiner's candidacy then was a violation of the act.

And another opinion, issued by a federal special counsel, warned that running for another term this year would also be a violation, Bradshaw said. He said Greiner has the right to appeal the opinions.

Greiner said in his statement the federal government would not honor any procedure put in place to shield him from the less than 1 percent of federal money that comes to Ogden city for law enforcement-related programs.

The opinions, Bradshaw said, hurt not only Greiner but also Ogden itself. "It's very unfair to the chief, but it's also very unfair to Ogden city and it's citizens," he said.

— Lisa Riley Roche