Comments about ‘Walker takes plea deal in bribery case’

I kind of feel bad for Mark. I can't excuse him for what he did, but he was surrounded by a lot of heavy hitters, who were advising him all along the way. Mark's a young guy who I think to a certain degree was used as a pawn by those in power. I look forward to the investigation and to see who else may have been involved (if any). I wish you the best Mark and respect how you've owned up to the situation.

What's in store next for Mark Walker? Why, it's as plain as day. He'll show up on Capitol Hill as a Lobbyist. A profession where he won't have to worry about annoying misdemeanor prosecutions for bribing elected officials -- because it's LEGAL!

Are you kidding? You must be a friend of his. Too young to understand what a bribe is? Then he is obviously too young to be running for a state office. This extremely light sentence is probably the result of those same heavy hitters getting involved.....Mark Shurtleff comes to mind....

I think that everyone is aware that Walker was used as a pawn by those in the GOP leadership and by those who endorsed him. Some of them were re-elected and some were not. Will they ever face a day in court? Hardly. Let this be a lesson to those who sit as "underlings". Be careful of whom you allow into your area of influence. Many will see your naivety as a way to increase their own power and standing while caring less what it does to you.

Mark is young and looking to get ahead. He made a mistake. He knows that. What about his "helpers" that "can make it happen". We need to hold those responable that are encouraging this type of behavior.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely and the GOP has become absolutely corrupt. But they will not/dont need to change anything because they are against abortion. They have no power to do anything about abortion, they never have had any intention to do anything about abortion but they are against it and that is good enough for the morons who keep pulling the GOP lever. Graft, gifts and corruption is what we get when you put the fox in charge of the hen house.
/end diatribe
//sorry about that folks

Mistake in judgment? The brown shoes you are wearing with the dark suit is a mistake in judgment, Mark Walker. Attempted bribery is a crime. The judge should haul you back in court and order you to stop denying your crime in public right after you pled guilty to it. You are spitting in the court's face.

I for one remember his appearance with Gayle Ruzicka on the radio in which he declared very fervently his innocence. Utah has dodged a bullet by not electing this interesting fellow as State Treasurer.

Wipe that stupid grin off your face, you criminal.

Does anyone else find it odd that he's smiling in all the pictures taken for this article?

To Sad Story: You are right It is a sad story. However the real sad story is that we are teaching young people like mark that, if they get caught doing the wrong thing, all they have to do is appologize, say they feel bad and have learned their lesson. We then let them off the hook. It's about time that we start teaching our young people that they can choose their actions and with those actions come consequences. Saying I'm sorry doesn't remove or negate the consequences. Face it. It doesn't matter who was pressuring or advising Mark. He knew he was wrong. He needs to stand up and be a man and say "I broke the law. I will accept the consequences." Anything less than this shows a real character flaw.
To Anonymous You are right. You should end your diatribe. Please start offering solutions instead of pointing out in-adnauseaum your distaste for those who disagree with your views. Do we need to change the way business is done on Capitol hill. You bet. Get involved politically and work toward the change you believe is necessary. Quit taking shots with blank cartriges.

....on how long it takes for Richard Ellis to resign.

Put me down for 60 days.

They should give him a cell next to Dodd, Thain, and Frank.

Bribery,corruption,lying,thieving politicians in "HAPPY VALLEY"?say it ain't so joe!!!

If you followed the story you would understand that it's specifically stated in the plea agreement that Mark only admits he told Ellis he could keep his job if he dropped out of the race. No where does he admit to the bribery accusations. He has said all along he never bribed Ellis and that's not what he pled too. You won't find that very widely reported because it makes the story less sexy, but after the bi-partisan investigation they weren't able to go after him for bribery. Ever since the story broke last year he has admitted to the "job offer" (saying Ellis could stay on as Deputy) his story hasn't changed.

Herbert should resign. He withheld this information from GOP primary voters until right after the polls closed. Maybe it was stuck in his bungled computer system.

I would assume the 'heavy hitters' have made a deal with Walker for him to take his small (very small) lump and keep his mouth shut about anyone else being involved.

To Let's Place Bets - help me understand, why would Ellis resign?

Is he eligible to run for the U. S. Senate? Or maybe appointed Secretary of the Treasury?

Dear annoyingmous:

No he didn't. He denied on TV and in print that he offered Ellis a job. Stop the lies.

Please don't throw stones in glass houses. I know Mark and he's a good person. This is a snap shot of something that happened in the context of a campaign that, I could argue, should not have seen the light of day.

I have worked campaigns and understand that things are said and done that have immediate regrets. Whether a mistake was made or not, I think all of us have said and done things that we aren't proud of and that we wish we could take back. Fortunately for us, most of the things we do aren't placed under such a microscope as Mark.

Imagine living your life under constant watch and in today's instant media and blogs. It's hard to appreciate until you've lived it.

All this said, elected officials beware - nothing happens out there without everyone knowing about it almost instantly. Actions can take a life of their own before you've even recognized what's happened. Overall, be honest and live your live as if someone is always watching - because they are.