Deseret News | Reader comments: A.G.'s office may probe Hughes

Reader comments
A.G.'s office may probe Hughes

Hughes | 3:18 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Greg Hughes is innocent, his words have been taken out of context.

Lets be honest in all our dealin | 3:23 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

When I go to the polls, I want to vote for honest and upright people and not about party. I is amazing how so many of you are about party. I seems to be that republicans because of their numbers in office, have by this absolute power become corrupt. If we are not able to find out who all is involved from the gov. to lt gov. and the speaker and pres of the senate which is all of the same party. we have no choice but to vote for some one else. So those that do know the truth needs to stand up and tell the truth and who all is involved here. You can't tell me that for 2 and half years that these leaders didn't know anything about this. If they didn't know then they are not much of leaders. Can they tell the truth?

jake | 3:29 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Hughes, don't stop there where there is stink maybe there is a skunk. Hughes doesn't do anything without permission from Curtis and this is all about the distribution of campaign funds. Money lots of money and power, lots of power this could get ugly

Comments continue below

Hughes | 3:38 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

The timing of this stinks. I don't care if you like Hughes or not. Riesen should be brought up as well because of his blatant political hack job. He should be ashamed of himself.

I see what is going on here and Greg Hughes is innocent.

Hughes is Honorable | 3:44 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Look at the actions of Hughes: He wants all of this investigated immediately, and wants to be exhonerated. These are not the actions of a criminal man. Let's see how this turns out, but as of this moment, Greg Hughes has my vote!

greg curtis | 3:46 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Greg is the chairman of the Conservative caucus, which is the largest and most influential group of representatives in the Legislature. This caucus frequently decides the outcome of critical legislation.
This Quote is from Greg"s web site. Wow, lets boast about all the power you have Greg. Just remember to say it like NIXON "I am not a crook".

RE: Hughes is honorable | 4:02 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Just remember that Mark Walker said all those same things about wanting the matter investigated immediately to clear his good name.

Then he resigned.

Guess his name wasn't so good.

wrong | 4:06 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

walker is going through his investigation right now. Check your facts.

New politics | 4:08 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Its clear politics in Utah is changing for the worse. The democrats have decided since they cant win on the issues they will begin to destroy people with very flimsy hear say evidence.

Shame on Phil Riesen for allowing this to happen.

Small Comfort | 4:18 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

So Mark Shurtleff, who has received at least $5,000 in campaign donations from Overstock.Com (CEO=Patrick Byrne) is going to investigate Greg Hughes, who has received at least $3,500 in campaign donations from Parents for Choice in Education (Largest Donor=Patrick Byrne) because of alleged bribes involving VOUCHERS???

Gee, I wander what Mark Shurtleff will find out. Let me guess...NOTHING.

GOP Corruption in Utah is ridiculous.

re: Let's be honest | 4:20 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Just remember that those who are honest in all their dealings don't base their judgments on a newspaper story of alleged wrongdoing. That's not being honest in all our dealings.

RE:Hughes is honorable | 4:41 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Hang in there guys,the truth will set you free
(He-He-He)my advice: counter accuse!!

RE: wrong | 4:50 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

The investigation is done, they're just sitting on the report.

My Big Fat Lying Republican | 4:48 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Why do all of you sheep always support your flock? Believe it or not, even a republican Mormon can be dishonest. Hughes lied and bribed and is now trying to hide from the truth by smearing Riesen. Riesen did nothing wrong; he simply brought the facts to the public.

Concerned | 4:51 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

A pretty dynamite issue for sure. The real disturbing part of this is if things are as they have been presented in recent articles is why an ethical or criminal complaint hasn't been filed sooner. What was Lawrence thinking or hiding.

Allegedly she was approached with a "bribe" and declined. She acted honorably with nothing to hide, yet was hesitant or unwilling to do anything about it. She claims she simply hoped for ethics reform to just happen, but having been a member of that house for six years if she didn't know that would never have happened she doesn't belong in public office. Certainly during her time in office she never sponsored an ethics reform bill.

It seems like Riesen is merely representing his constituents better than Lawrence did.

Is it too much to hope that ethics reform in the Utah legislature actually becomes enacted?

Public Lie Detector Test | 6:09 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Public Lie Detector Test for all parties

need I say more?

Ed | 6:17 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Why isn't the SLCPD investigating this. If true, it is a crime and the jurisdiction is theirs. Get after it.

Somebody | 6:44 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Ed,

SLCPD doesn't really have the primary jurisdiction at the Capitol.

Jon | 7:59 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Of course Greg Hughes is lying. And the sad part is the voters will vote for him again. We are grateful that Phil took a stand and told us what was happening. Ask your self why are they doing this behind closed doors? Let the light in on what is going on.

been there | 9:46 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Of course Greg Huges is guilty - As is Curtis. This hasn't been a seceret people were just to afraid to speak out. After all Lawerence first reported this 17 months ago but was afaid to pursue the issue. If you still have doubts just ask your favorite bullied lobbyst or legislator. But why not get all the names out? Bramble is invloved in this too as is Stephenson.
WAKE UP REPORTERS THIS IS THE BIGGEST STORY OF THE CAMPAIGN!

re: Huges 3:38 | 10:09 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Timing? WWJD What better time to alert the public than when they have a chance to make a difference. Would you have rather people kept silent and allowed people of this calibare to continue to "dirty" the Republicain party?

Beau | 10:16 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

to Greg Hughes:
This is when you find out what Curtis and Bramble are made of. Who your friends are and who uses who. Why do you think they let you handle the money? Can you say "fall guy"? YOU HAVE JUST BEEN CUT LOOSE!

Sacraficial lamb anyone - or perhaps Hughes on toast?
just kidding we all trust Curtis...don't we
who knows maybe Bramble will come to the rescue....

Re: Small Comfort | 10:34 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

You have a personal vendetta against the AG. Your constant ticky tack points against Shurtleff are tired and weak.

Tip of Iceburg | 10:59 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

After the voucher issue, I decided to change parties and vote democratic. I think our state government needs more balance so that a group of people don't have all the power, for power oftimes corrupts. I have been appalled at what I have learned about the use of money and force and intimidation in our state legislature. I think it is just fine for the issue to come to the forefrunt at this time.

JMT | 11:56 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

What do we say when a medical bill comes up and the Utah Medical Association promises support for legislators who support that bill?

Or a legal reform and the Utah Trial Attorneys do the same?

Or the Fraternal Order of Police do the same?

Or the League of Cities and Towns do the same?

Or the Utah Education Association or their local Uniserves do the same?

Or the Gay-Straight Alliance?

Or SUWA?

Or the NRA?

Or the PTA?

Or the Eagle Forum?

I could go on and on. I have worked at the State Capital and have seen this for quite some time. Simply go to the Lt Governor's web site and look online for donations from lobbyists to legislators. Consider leadership elections in both parties. Why does the Speaker of the House and House Minority Leader (ranking Democrat) have very large amounts of money? Hint, they donate it to other legislators.

How is any of this different then what Rep Hughes did?

Having been around the legislative process since 1996 I just don't see it being any different. Maybe I'm missing something but all who have walked up there have seen this.

Scapegoat for an election?

liberal Larry | 6:40 a.m. Oct. 3, 2008

I really think it's time for two things in Utah politics, ethics reform, and term limits. These clannish, old boy, legislators, get into power and after years in office, they form a tight knit group of out of touch, thin skinned, egomaniacs.

Independent Utahn | 8:54 a.m. Oct. 3, 2008

Hughes=Curtis wanna be

Riesen=public servant

Start voting for good upright people and not the party. The good people are not all GOP! The Utah GOP has become corrupt and arrogant because the good people of Utah vote for them because of the R, not because they have ethics, standards, and can stand up and represent the people.

One good reference is Democrat Mayor Peter Corroon who took on the GOP with Real Salt Lake and the GOP made the "bad investment" anyway. Curtis, Killpack, Valentine, and Huntsman all got nice jerseys and a photo op to say they did it anyway to spite us dumb Utahns.

Signed,
Done with the Utah GOP but McCain-Palin have my vote.

PTA | 8:56 a.m. Oct. 3, 2008

Check it out, JMT, PTA does not make contributions to anyone candidate's campaign. So, leave them out of your list...

Not a campaign tactic | 9:09 a.m. Oct. 3, 2008

The evidence against Hughes came from a Republican - Susan Lawrence! How is this a campaign tactic if a retired Republican is the one bringing the evidence forward? Phil had no ability to cause an "October" surprise, he just release the letter the day it was released by a Republican. Beside, neither Phil or Susan have anything personal to gain from this complaint. Go ahead and make spin, but Phil is a hero for letting the public know.

Truth Will Out | 6:01 p.m. Oct. 3, 2008

Check it out again, JMT. Don't know what you think "very large amounts of money," equates to in regards to the House Minority leadership. Check the disclosures to see who was paid off for leadership votes. Looks to me like it must take a lot more to pay off a Repub than a Demo. You sound like the press--spouting off generalities without checking facts and figures.

Also, without donations to campaign funds, only the rich will be able to run for office. Hm-m-m, millionaires running the state for Main Street Utahns.

p.s. It's Capitol, not Capital.

Commoner | 12:21 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Once again we are not paying attention to the language used, because the language actually used determines whether a crime has been committed.

If Hughes said something along the lines of "Susan, if you were supporting vouchers I could get you $50,000 in donations." That is not a crime.

He would have to say "Susan, I will give you $50,000 to change your vote on vouchers." That would be a bribe.

And there is no doubt that Reisen is being a political opportunist here based on the timing. He makes the complaint just in time to bring it to the public's attention when there is no time for the matter to be resolved. I used to respect him, but not anymore.

The Rosemanns for Hughes | 8:29 a.m. Oct. 6, 2008

We hope the hearings for Hughes and Riesen will be open to the public. The truth needs to be heard.
We haven't heard anything from Susan Lawrence and the public needs to hear her explanation.

In 2006 Greg received $1,555.47 in contributions from Parents for Choice in Education. The average individual contribution to a lawmaker by a voucher advocate group was $3,116.37. The two sponsors of the voucher bill individually never received more than $3000 in campaign contributions from voucher advocates in that election year. These facts are available to the public and regard all parties.

The vouchers are not the issue in Greg's campaign this year. He is focusing on the economy, creating jobs, tranportation and education. He has fought for many improvements that we have received in our district It's all public record. If the school administrators and teachers aren't seeing the allocations that have been given, the districts need to be approached, not blame the legislators.

Our hope is that both sides of this issue will be truthful and fair and that misunderstandings will be cleared up peaceably. Utah needs to be united in spite of political differences.

Mickey | 12:27 a.m. Oct. 9, 2008

I'm disappointed in Riesen. I voted for him. But if he knew about this for so long and then only leaked it around the first of October, well, that's just sleazy.

I mean, if he had a "duty" to release this information, why did he spend several months failing at his "duty". It just doesn't wash, and makes me wonder about him.

Actually, Im suprised. He seemed so straight

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