Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Breaking: Swallow, Shurtleff Taken Into Custody - Updated

Needless to say, we'll update this page as the story develops

Via KSL News. This, folks is the news that all WCF political wonks have been ever-so-eagerly awaiting:
SALT LAKE CITY — Former Attorneys General John Swallow and Mark Shurtleff were arrested and taken into custody Tuesday, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill confirmed.

The FBI planned a 9 a.m. news conference in regards to the state arrest warrants issued Tuesday morning. The arrests come after search warrants were served at both men's homes in June.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.
Here's the story link, folks:
Needless to say, we'll update this page as the story develops.

Update 7/15/14 9:42 a.m.:  The Tribune carries a very robust post- news conference story on this topic, which, among other things, details the nature of the multiple felony and misdemeanor charges so far lodged against Shurtleff and Swallow. The Trib's Robert Gehrke is doing a yeoman's job keeping this story regularly updated, btw:
Update 7/16/14 8:30 a.m.:  This story is grabbing national attention, of course. Here's yesterday's New York Times writeup, for example:
  • Shurtleff holds a news conference accusing Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill of conducting a political witch hunt [Utah Policy, Tribune, Deseret News].
  • Here's video of Shurtleff's arrest [KUTV].
  • Utah political leaders react to the arrests [Tribune, Daily Herald].
  • There may be more arrests tied to the Swallow/Shurtleff scandal [Tribune].
  • The Department of Justice is getting a black eye for ending their probe into Swallow and Shurtleff [Tribune].
  • Where does the Swallow/Shurtleff scandal rank among Utah's history of political wrongdoing? [Tribune]
Update 7/16/14 9:44 a.m.: With considerable delight, we'll highlight this poignant Paul Rolly piece, dripping with Utah politico-cultural irony:
Update 7/17/14 10:00 a.m.:  Added bonus... This morning's Bagley cartoon:

16 comments:

RM said...

If Shurtfeff had done his job, Matt might be there with them.

Janet said...

this made my fekken day.

Bob Becker said...

I'm betting Shurtleff's former DC law firm, from which he resigned after six montgs as the scandals broke, has a committee hard at work right now revising its procedures for vetting prospective new partners.

Bob Becker said...

Well, yeah, but neither has been convicted of anything yet. If I were making book on this, I'd be offering odds that at least one beats all raps.

Ray said...

Regardless of the outcomes of these two cases, I'd hope that real political ethics reform might be pushed along as Utah realizes the depth of these scandals.

Bob Becker said...

Just out of curiosity, which law school (or schools) have the honor of counting these two as distinguished graduates?

rudizink said...

Good point. Bob!

Ray said...

Bob: According to Wikipedia, Swallow went to BYU Law School. Shurtleff went to both U of U and U of San Diego law schools.

blackrulon said...

Since they are currently facing trial and possible conviction in Utah courts will they be asked their opinion on the best place to build the new Utah State prison?

Bob Becker said...

( grin) BR, you are not a nice person. ( grin)

Bob Becker said...

TY. Just curious.

James Humphreys said...

Right Now, Western Tooelle County is the favorite to win!

James Humphreys said...

Finally arrested. Yay! Swallow will finally be held accountable for his years of misleading actions. However, this is not done, there are a few more in the cross-hairs, not yet arrested.

blackrulon said...

Did Shurtleff and Swallow receive lots of campaign donations from that area?

Bob Becker said...

The Trib story on Utah political leaders should be giving Shurtleff the willies. There's not a hint of rallying round. A few, like Lockhart, all but declare him guilty. General impression of roaches scattering when the light's turned on. Shurtleff's become the local Abramov. Nobody in office wants to be seen in his company.

blackrulon said...

That beeping sopund you hear is GOP leaders rapidly backing away from Mark Shurtleff and John Swallow. "Shurtleff, Mark Shurtleff? Sorry I don't seem to recognize the name".

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