Donations, actions raise more questions about Swallow's judgment

Published: Saturday, Feb. 9 2013 9:45 p.m. MST

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Summary

It remains to be seen whether embattled Utah Attorney General John Swallow will face criminal charges as a result of his dealings with indicted businessman Jeremy Johnson.But his ethics and judgment have been called into question since Johnson accused him last month of helping broker a deal to bribe a U.S. senator in an effort to derail a federal investigation into Johnson's Internet marketing company.

Swallow has acknowledged using Peps I, a 75-foot-long houseboat with several cabins, a home theater and a helipad. The government has since seized the boat and put it up for sale.

Johnson said he doesn't know why Swallow brought that up during the meeting or why he sounded nervous about using it. Johnson said he let many people use his houseboat.

"Nothing was expected from letting him use it. It was no special deal," Johnson said.

Swallow, who turned 50 last November, was scheduled to go on a cruise with Pelo, another friend and their wives last month to celebrate their 50th birthdays together. But Swallow stayed behind, Pelo said, to "remain attentive to the affairs of the day."

E-mail: romboy@desnews.com

Twitter: dennisromboy

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Featured Comments

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SLars

Provo, UT

It sounds like the attorney Generals office needs to be investigated, including Shurtleff. Much of this happened while he was in charge.

4:15 a.m. Feb. 10, 2013
Top comment

JoeBlow

Far East USA, SC

It makes absolutely no difference to me whether Swallow is a Republican or a Democrat.

And I don't know if Swallow did anything technically "illegal" or not.

That is the problem. Whether state or local politics, More..