Standard-Examiner: Criminal Investigation of Independent Political Consultant Expands in Davis County

Mr. Minson's mouthpiece claims to be taking the high road in defense of his client... after smearing those investigating his client first

By Curmudgeon

My my my. While I always enjoy watching Utah Republicans roil around in the slingable mud that seems to be their natural environment, beyond that, this story raises some interesting questions. Can it really be illegal in Utah.... the home of Karl Rove!... for campaign workers to knowingly circulate false rumors about their candidates' opponents? Lying illegal in campaigns? A criminal offense? In Utah?

• Criminal investigation of independent political consultant expands in Davis County

And is this a First Amendment matter, as Mr. Minson's mouthpiece, Attorney Jay T. Jorgensen, claims, trying to shield his client by draping him in the Bill of Rights? Does the First Amendment protect a consultant's right to knowingly circulate false rumors to benefit his candidate? Can campaigners lie with impunity in the pursuit of office, safe from criminal prosecution for so doing? And if the First Amendment does not protect dishonest statements in campaigns, what exactly would be the mechanism for determining what was a false rumor, what was a lie? Would passing on rumors labeled as rumors, not established fact, be enough to shield the consultant from prosecution? Who would decide and by what standard?

And if the First Amendment does protect a campaign consultant who circulates false rumors, is there no way the public can protect the integrity [such as it is] of the electoral process?

This could be a very interesting case to watch.

And forgive me if I am a little leery of Mr. Minson's mouthpiece's claim to be taking the high road in defense of his client. He states that "neither he nor his client will comment further at this point." Uh huh. But he said that only after making sure he smeared those investigating his client first: "We wonder if it's a political vendetta, " he told the Standard Examiner. Then he clammed up. Imagine that....