Witness list expanded in House ethics trial

An expanded witness list for the Utah Legislature's ethics complaints against Reps. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, and Phil Riesen, D-Millcreek, has been released.

There are more than 55 names on the lists, some summoned to testify more than once in the charges against the two men. (See the related story on Wednesday's ethics hearings.)

Beyond names mentioned previously, the new witnesses in the Hughes case include:

• A number of well-known lobbyists, like Jeff Hartley, Blaze Wharton, Lee Peacock, Chris Kyler, Howard Headlee, Des Barker, Nancy Secrist, Rob Jolley, Lincoln Shurtz and Mont Evans.

• Also called as witnesses are some GOP legislative leaders: House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy; Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo; Senate Assistant Majority Whip Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse; House Majority Leader David Clark, R-Santa Clara.

• Other legislators called to testify include: Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper; Rep. Aaron Tilton, R-Springville; Rep. Sheryl Allan, R-Bountiful; Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clinton; and Rep. Brad Last, R-St. George.

• Democratic Party executive director Todd Taylor is called in the Riesen case, and so is media attorney Randy Dryer and two University of Utah College of Law professors.

The initial list, released yesterday, included House members, lobbyists or other who deal with the Legislature. They included:

• Former Rep. Susan Lawrence

• Rep. Paul Ray

• Joel Briscoe

• Rep. Greg Hughes

• Rep. Sheryl Allen

• Rep. Phil Riesen

• Rep. Roz McGee

• Rep. Neil Hansen

• Elisa Clements

• Rep. Brad Last

• Michael Cragun

• James Evans

• Rep. Kevin Garn

---

E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com