A.G.'s office may probe Hughes

Torgensen is referenced in a letter from Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, that is attached to the complaint against Hughes filed Wednesday. Torgensen on Thursday clarified statements attributed to him in that letter.

"When she (Allen) called me and we talked about a potential investigation, I told her two things," Torgensen said. "I need a witness to come forward and make a statement and second ... that if this thing becomes a case it would be prosecuted by Salt Lake County."

Torgensen also spoke with Lawrence at that time and explained any investigation would require her statement, which she was not ready to give in 2007. Torgensen said the last communication he had with her, a year-and-a-half ago, was "if your views change, come back and talk to me about it."

Torgensen said he has not seen the Hughes ethics complaint, filed Wednesday with the Utah House. In that complaint is a letter signed by Lawrence in which she makes various charges against Hughes. In a cover letter signed by three House Democrats, they charge that some of the alleged actions by Hughes could be criminal in nature.

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