Deseret News | Questions raised about donations for Shurtleff

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Questions raised about donations for Shurtleff

Becky Thomas | 1:32 p.m. Oct. 23, 2009

$10,000 from Energy Solutions...Guess we know how he would vote on bringing Nuclear Waste to Utah.

Bought and paid | 2:21 p.m. Oct. 23, 2009

I hope those campaign finance forms are stamped "Paid in full". These politicians are corrupt.

Shurtleff chief law avoider | 3:16 p.m. Oct. 23, 2009

This shows how Shurtleff operates on the edge of the law. He is the epitome of a lawyer without respect for the spirit of the laws he is sworn to uphold.

Comments continue below

Shady Pattern | 4:49 p.m. Oct. 23, 2009

This guy is as shady as a windowless cellar. You hear these types of stories once and you can ignore it, but a frightening pattern has become evident with this guy. And it didn't start with the campaign, its been going on for years. I'd even vote for Matheson before someone with all the questionable baggage that Shurtleff has.

A. State Delegate | 4:58 p.m. Oct. 23, 2009

Both of these candidates, Sen. Bennett and Mark Shurtluff are cut from the same cloth, and both are calling foul of the other. Both are raising money from the deep pocket companies. Some like Energy Solutions are playing both sides of the game.

They both believe, and maybe they are right, that Utahns are just a bunch of rubes that can be influence by who has the mosts money to spend on slick TV campaign ads, and other marketing tactics. The real issues are buried under the pile. Mark Shurtleff doesn't even deserve to be the Attorney General, and Bailout Bob has lost all credibility as a Utah Senator, and needs to go.

There are at least two other candidates in this senate race today that should be looked at, and there will be more before the 2010 Republican Convention in March. They are unknown, and unexperienced in politics, but at least they are honest. Even "Super Dell," who got over 25,000 votes in last years governor's race would be a better choice than Shurtluff or Bennett.

Irresponsible | 11:14 p.m. Oct. 23, 2009

Talk about an incomplete and inaccurate story.

The story erronously states that the donations were not permissible, a legal conclusion, but gives no source for any such conclusion, except for the fact that Bennett supposedly questioned them.

One can hardly trust an opponent, who is not a lawyer, to give an independent legal opinion. Even then, there is no background on when or how he supposedly questioned them.

This is old news. Not only did Bennett not question the donations, his son did.

Furthermore, noticeably absent from this story (which could have been learned simply by reading the prior published stories) is the fact that Shurtleff hired the former head of the FEC to give him a legal opinion on whether such donations were lawful, and he opined that they were.

As an attorney familiar with election laws, the donations are perfectly legal, albeit unusual simply because Shurtleff is a sitting elected state official with various duties and expectations that require a separate PAC for such State activities, separate from the Federal campaign, although a federal campaign could make the same expenditures.

One has to wonder why this incomplete and old story was even rehashed today?

AlwaysQuestion | 1:27 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

Shurtleff is the MOST CORRUPT POLITICIAN ever in the history of the state of Utah.
1. Shurtleff doesn't prosecute ponzi scheme king Koerber who took $100 million from Utahns and others.
2. Shurtleff and his chief deputy Kirk Torgensen falsely apply for a subpoena b/c a female alleged inappropriate activity between Torgensen and her (see City Weekly article re: Rachel G.)
3. Shurtleff begins prosecuting IWorks but IWorks then contributes $50,000 to Shurtleff and Shurtleff dismisses criminal case.
4. Shurtleff constantly pandering to the payday loan industry that charges 500%+ interest rates to poor Utahns.
5. Shurtleff constantly in Israel on the taxpayer dime when the Utah AG has no business in Israel.
6. Shurtleff and USANA - see youtube video w/ query "Shurtleff USANA" - it's disgusting
7. Shurtleff criticizing US attorney Brent Tolman about artifact raid when Tolman doesn't have to tell Shurtleff anything.
Mickey Mouse or Goofy would be a better candidate than Shurtleff
DO NOT VOTE FOR THIS GUY FOR US SENATE AND VOTE HIM OUT OF OFFICE FOR AG. He is the MOST corrupt politician as well as his chief deputies

Read the FEC | 1:28 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

What I would like to know is the company that Shurtleff owed about $25,000 last quarter, he still owes that and more. It looks like he has enough money to pay his bills, but isn't.

What did I miss?

@irresponsible | 4:47 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

Hey Mark I see you got up early to make a comment!

Corruption at its best. | 5:27 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

It should not be Shurtleff's choice or decision to choose where his campaign donations are sent and where they go. In effect this is bribery payment and not donations to any campaign. If they were donations they must be designated by the donor for who and what campaign they are donating to. If not designated then its bribery and a payoff. Just because he decides to split his bribery into a campaign accounts does not make it a donation.

Shurtleff is a crook and this is just one small example of the life of this criminal politician. He has no morals or ethics and we don't need him in government, no matter how many people he sweet talks in to believing him. Talk about criminal government, he is the epitome at the highest level. And he's a lawyer and should know better.

This should be a Red Flag warning to all citizens of how criminal Shurtleff is and the schemes he will plot to skirt the laws and ethical behaviors.

MLM cheerleader | 7:33 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

Look at where his donations are coming from: MLMs. Utah is known as the MLM capitol of the world. Why? Because Utah treats MLMs with kid gloves even though many (not all) are pseudo pyramid schemes. Fact: over 95% (closer to 99%) of the people who join an MLM as a business end up losing money. Shurtleff has a record of supporting this industry and they want him elected. He won't get my vote!

RW | 8:05 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

I love looking at the FEC's website on campaign contributions. Jason Chaffetz taught us all last election how a campaign should be run--free of debt. Here are the numbers. Bennett's Cash on hand: $792,726. Bennett's Debt: $1,015,031. Yup, Bennett run's his campaign like he likes Washington to be run--deficit spending. It's also interesting to see the number of non-Utahn contributors to Bennett's campaign. I'm all for candidates supporting the causes of those who contributed to their campaigns, but it doesn't feel right when those people all live east of the Mississippi. Honestly, I'm not a fan of Shurtleff either. Shurtleff's Cash on Hand: $146,191. Shurtleff's Debt: $30,475. This article explains some of Shurtleff's weaknesses in the realm of campaign finance. Eagar and William's debt: $0. As a state delegate, I will not vote for any senate candidate that has campaign debt.

RW | 8:48 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

Apparently the Deseret News doesn't like my last comment. It's been about 20 minutes and it's still not there. All I said was that Bennett has more debt than he has cash on hand. I'm voting for candidates that don't have campaign debt. Thus I'm not voting for Shurtleff or Bennett.

Shurtleff's Got To Go! | 9:05 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

I am no fan of Bennett, but when Shurtleff swaged his finger at a pro illegal alien rally a few years ago and said that he would never arrest illegals I was disgusted. When the attorney general thumbs his nose at the law... we've got a problem.

Shurtleff is a political despot that needs to be thrown out of office.

Not again | 9:15 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

This guy is as corrupt as they come. Utah would be ill-served if they elected him to the Senate. He shouldn't even be the AG.

@Irresponsible | 9:16 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

You need to read the story again. You were so quick to defend Shurtleff that you got a couple of points wrong.

LatterDayCorruptCapitalists | 9:32 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

Don't forget Mark Jensen. Shurtleff is, indeed, one of the most corrupt AG's in the history of Utah. With Mark, it pay to play. And by that we mean, pay (contribute to Mark's campaign) and you can be assured that charges will be dropped. Mark Jensen's case it a perfect example of the corruption -- take a look at these stories, and you'll want to throw-up. Mark Jensen WILL BE VOTING FOR SHURTLEFF FOR SENATE. You can count on that.

No more Bennett | 10:13 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

No more Bennett for Senate. Anyone would be better than him.

Reformer | 10:18 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

Here we have a perfect example of the need for campaign and ethics reform. Our politians pat themselves on the back for how well they "play the game". While we get stuck with the corrupt legislators who maintain the status quo. Legal or not, it's wrong!

Marc Jensen | 10:44 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

I wonder how many of the donors were just funnels for money that was really from Marc Jensen.

Utah Conservative | 11:13 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

I won't be voting for either Shurtleff or Bennett.

Shurtleff has been a despicable AG.

I don't know a thing about who's running against them yet... but they have my vote.

Jeremy Brown | 11:36 a.m. Oct. 24, 2009

I supported Shurtleff in his current office. But I won't be voting for him as a legislator. He has the right temperament for enforcing the law, but I sure don't want him making the law. The way he's preparing just reinforces that.

Marc Jenson | 2:06 p.m. Oct. 24, 2009

Judge Reese gave Jenson 3 years to pay back over $4,000,000 in money that he stole from us, AFTER Mark Shurtleff PERSONALLY cut a deal for no jail/no fine/wipe the record clean in 3 years. Jenson was already convicted (by a real prosecutor!) before. But he got not a slap on the wrist, but a kiss on the cheek, sorta like Judas. Really, Mr. Shurtleff, do you expect us to believe that a bunch of the money didn't go your way, or that you didn't get a ride on Jenson's private jet?

Oh yeah, what happened to the money to be paid back? Who knows, but not a penny went to victims. Not a penny. Maybe it got poured into more Shurtleff-supported Ponzi schemes in Beaver County Elk Meadows.

Just Google Marc Sessions Jenson and look at the lifestyle he lives. Pique Magazine says "Marc Jenson has a track record that might give a cautious investor pause." But not an Attorney General for Sale. Jenson says "I have access to money like you have access to air." Money talks, Shurtleff walks.

Always question RW! | 2:14 p.m. Oct. 24, 2009

AFter you Google Marc Sessions Jenson, try Googling iWorks or Jeremy Johnson and Shurtleff, then maybe Rick Koerber and Shurtleff. You'll begin to get the picture. Don't worry, Shurtleff won't.

Shurtleff is so, so dirty | 5:02 p.m. Oct. 24, 2009

But God wants him to president, apparently. So that's how he justifies this pattern of ethical lapses.

Anonymous | 5:23 p.m. Oct. 24, 2009

In all my dealings with Mark Shurtleff I have found him to be a man of integrity, courage, honesty and strength. He has a deep abiding love for the Constitution and it the ruler by which he governs himself in politics. I hate to see people badmouthing him, when I know him to be a very good man.

Anonymous | 5:41 p.m. Oct. 24, 2009

What happened to investigating Iworks?
Donate money, and problem goes away?
Iworks SHOULD be shut down.

Doug Short | 7:01 p.m. Oct. 24, 2009

So much corruption.

Where... | 7:35 p.m. Oct. 24, 2009

is the guy who resigned as U.S. Attorney for Utah? Let him throw in his hat for this race...

Shurtleff is he better? | 11:46 p.m. Oct. 26, 2009

I am not sure Shurtleff is better than Bennett.

I am glad we have other options.

Why replace a 3 term incumbent businessman with a 3 term incumbent attorney?

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