Gov. Gary Herbert's fundraiser expected to raise over $700,000

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert's second annual fundraiser Saturday night was expected to raise more than $700,000.

Roughly 1400 prominent community and business leaders gathered in the Grand America Hotel ballroom for "American Tapestry," the 2010 governor's gala. Those in attendance donated anywhere from a few thousand to a top-level contribution of $25,000.

Last year's event raised about $1 million.

Hours earlier, a group called the Coalition of Utah Progressives protested at the Governor's Mansion and called for the release of documents between Herbert's campaign office and the Governor's office regarding meetings with a campaign donor who later won a lucrative state contract.

They specifically had questions about the I-15 CORE contract going to a consortium that contributed more than $80,000 to the governor's campaign and about UDOT's $13 million payout to the contractors who lost that bid.

"I think there needs to be an investigation," said Luce Kelly, a protester. "Our legislature will understand where our priorities lie, which is not this kind of shenanigans."

Angie Welling, the governor's spokesperson, said last week the governor's office and UDOT released a slew of documents related to that issue.

"It shouldn't go without notice that they've staged a protest for something that has already occurred," Welling said.

There is no link, she added, between donations to the governor's campaign, access and any official decisions

"Contributions absolutely do not equal access," Welling said in the hallway outside the Grand Ballroom.

News reporters and photographers were allowed into the event for a short time but were asked not to interview attendees.

The long-planned event follows a difficult week for the governor, with questions being raised about the influence of contributions to his campaign on state contracts and tax incentives.

At the center of the controversy is the record $1.7 billion contract for the reconstruction of I-15 through Utah County, awarded late last year to a group of companies that have given the governor $87,500. A member of the successful bid team, Guy Wadsworth, contributed $50,0000 and had two private meetings with Herbert.