Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Utah

The Latest: Ex-Utah official gratified by charges decision

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • 6ed5beab-
    Image 1 of 2

    FILE - In this July 13, 2016 file photo, former Utah Attorney General John Swallow arrives at court in Salt Lake City. Prosecutors are moving to drop pay-to-play charges against Swallow's predecessor, former Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, in what could be a major turning point in the high-profile case. Swallow, Shurtleff's successor, was also charged as part the investigation. Swallow, whose case is ongoing, is also accused of bribery and denies wrongdoing. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) (The Associated Press)

  • 4fd821f8-
    Image 2 of 2

    FILE - This June 29, 2015 file photo, shows former Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff after he appeared in court in Salt Lake City. Prosecutors are moving to drop pay-to-play charges against Shurtleff in what could be a major turning point in the high-profile case. Court documents filed Monday, Julyb18, 2016, cite the recent Supreme Court dismissal of the case against former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell and lack of cooperation from federal investigators in the push to drop the case. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) (The Associated Press)

SALT LAKE CITY – The Latest on prosecutors moving to drop charges against a former Utah attorney general (all times local):

10:45 a.m.

A lawyer says former Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is gratified that Utah prosecutors are moving to drop pay-to-play charges against him.

Shurtleff's lawyer Richard Van Wagoner says his client won't comment further until a judge rules on the dismissal motion.

It's unclear when that could happen.

Prosecutors said Monday that the recent Supreme Court dismissal of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's bribery conviction and a lack of cooperation from federal investigators pushed them to drop Shurtleff's case.

Davis County, Utah, Attorney Troy Rawlings says he hasn't been able to get key evidence from a 2013 investigation by the Department of Justice. That probe was closed without charges.

Rawlings did not return a message Monday seeking details.

Shurtleff had pleaded not guilty to seven counts of obstructing justice and accepting improper gifts involving lavish gifts from businessmen in trouble with regulators.

___

9:10 a.m.

Prosecutors are moving to drop pay-to-play charges against former Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, two years after the high-profile arrest of the former top lawman.

Court documents filed Monday cite the recent Supreme Court dismissal of the bribery case against former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and what prosecutors call a lack of cooperation from federal investigators in the push to drop the case.

Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings says he hasn't been able to get key evidence from a 2013 investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office and Department of Justice. That probe was closed without federal charges.

Defense attorney Richard Van Wagoner couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

Shurtleff has pleaded not guilty to allegations he accepted lavish gifts from businessmen in trouble with regulators.

His successor John Swallow has also been accused of bribery and denies wrongdoing.