SALT LAKE CITY — The excess campaign contributions collected by former Utah Attorney General John Swallow could go toward paying his legal bills.
According to state campaign finance filings, Swallow finished 2012 with about $147,000 left in his campaign account, he raised about an additional $92,000 in 2013, and he loaned his campaign about $60,000.
The total is just under $300,000, which Swallow said was about the same amount his defense cost. Swallow was under investigation from several agencies over allegations of impropriety, and he resigned earlier this month.
Mark Thomas, Utah Director of Elections, said the remaining funds could possibly be used for that defense.
“Generally speaking, the statute does allow you to use the campaign funds for legal services so long as it’s related to your campaign or office holder,” he said.
