Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Our spring member drive has ended, but it's not too late to give. You have the power to help fund the essential journalism that keeps us all informed. Help us close the gap on our spring fundraising goal! GIVE NOW

Charges Filed, Shurtleff And Swallow Arrested In Ongoing Investigation

Two formerly top-level state official were arrested Tuesday morning and charged with a combined 23 counts, ranging from accepting bribes and tampering with evidence to the misuse of public money.

Former Attorneys General John Swallow and Mark Shurtleff were arrested at their homes and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail Tuesday, with bail set at $250,000.

According to media reports, Shurtleff left the jail around 11:45 a.m. on crutches and wearing a boot cast. Swallow left the jail 25 minutes later. Both were charged in the 3rd District Court with pattern of unlawful activity, a felony.

Swallow has been charged with accepting a gift, a second degree felony, multiple counts of receiving or soliciting a bribe and tampering with evidence. He is facing a total of 10 counts.

Shurtleff is charged with three counts of receiving or soliciting a bribe, accepting employment that would impair judgment and tampering with a witness and evidence. He is facing a total of 13 counts, 11 of which are felonies.

Shurtleff, a Republican, served three terms as Utah’s attorney general. Following his 12 years in the office, Swallow, also a Republican, was elected for the position in 2012; however, he soon resigned in November of 2013 citing personal and financial strains stemming from an ongoing investigation into his conduct.

At a press conference Tuesday, Shurtleff said charges leveled against him are false and politically motivated.