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Former Utah AG John Swallow announces candidacy for his old job

John Swallow
Posted at 7:03 PM, Mar 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-19 21:03:19-04

SALT LAKE CITY — Republican John Swallow declared his candidacy Thursday for a position he briefly occupied in 2013: Utah State Attorney General.

Swallow resigned from the position in December of that year amid accusations of corruption in a historic and complicated case of "pay to play."

Swallow had been accused of accepting gifts and contributions from people facing investigations by the Utah Attorney General's Office.

He and his predecessor, Mark Shurtleff, were arrested and charged. The case against Shurtleff was dropped by the Davis County Attorney. The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office went to trial against Swallow, and a jury acquitted him.

Last year, the State of Utah settled with Swallow and agreed to pay him $1.5 million as he sought to recoup the legal fees he incurred during the corruption trial.

According to the Lieutenant Governor's Office, which oversees elections in the State of Utah, Swallow is now among six candidates for Attorney General.

Full list of current candidates:

  • Rudy J. Bautista - Libertarian
  • David O. Leavitt - Republican
  • Kevin Rollo Probasco - Democratic
  • Sean D. Reyes (incumbent) - Republican
  • Greg Skordas - Democratic
  • John Swallow - Republican