Utah’s new Attorney General sailed into office last November after vastly out-raising his opponent and earning almost 65 percent of the vote.
But after only one week in office, John Swallow was embroiled in controversy after he was accused of orchestrating a plan to bribe Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Swallow has denied the allegations and asked the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Salt Lake City to launch an investigation he says will clear his name.
Utah’s governor and the chairman of the state Republican Party says that whether or not Swallow broke the law, it is clear ethics reforms are needed.
The controversy has left a stain on his first few weeks in office as Swallow is dogged by calls for his resignation and questions about his ethics.