SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) -- Utah Attorney General John Swallow, who has been fighting allegations of ethics and election law violations since he took office earlier this year, will resign.
The Associated Press reported Thursday that Swallow, a Republican, plans to hold a news conference to announce his stepping down.
His attorney, Rod Snow, told the AP that the ongoing investigations into the attorney general's alleged misdeeds are taking their toll.
Swallow also is concerned about the money being spent to investigate his alleged wrongdoings, Snow told the AP.
However, a source told the Deseret News Thursday that the attorney general's resignation is part of a deal reached with the Lieutenant Governor's Office to avoid facing criminal charges.
The office reportedly is close to finishing up its investigation of Swallow.
The Utah House of Representatives, along with the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office, are still in the middle of their own investigations of the attorney general.
Last month, the Utah State Bar closed its case against Swallow. And in September, the U.S. Department of Justice, which worked in coordination with the FBI, said it would not bring any charges against the attorney general.
Despite that, a majority of Utah voters polled for a survey last month said Swallow should step down.
According to the AP, a state Republican Party committee would recommend three candidates to replace Swallow.
Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican, would pick one of those candidates to fill the office until a special election could be held -- most likely, next November.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.
Report: Utah AG to resign
