SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) -- Utah Attorney General John Swallow knowingly withheld information from campaign documents and tried to influence an investigation into the matter, according to a report released Friday.
Swallow, a Republican, announced Thursday he would step down effective Dec. 2. He has been fighting allegations of ethics and election law violations since he took office earlier this year.
According to The Associated Press, the report by the Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office shows he failed to report various business interests and thousands in income on campaign disclosure forms.
The report also shows Swallow tried to destroy documents, the AP reported.
During his press conference Thursday, the attorney general said the multiple, ongoing investigations into his alleged misdeeds have taken a toll on him, his family and his finances.
He maintains he has done nothing wrong.
Mark Thomas, chief deputy lieutenant governor and state director of elections, told the AP Friday that Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox still was reviewing the findings.
Under Utah law, Cox could send the case to a state judge, who could impose various penalties, including voiding the attorney general's election.
On Thursday, Gov. Gary Herbert called on the Republican State Central Committee to convene "as soon as is practical" and send him three names to consider for appointment to the vacancy created by Swallow's resignation.
Herbert will pick one of those candidates to fill the office until a special election can be held -- most likely, next November.
Until he makes that appointment, the governor has asked Major General Brian Tarbet, one of his cabinet members, to "ensure the duties of the office of the attorney general are performed."
But state Democrats say they may challenge the process.
According to the AP, they want a full election to be held sooner.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.
Report shows Swallow withheld information, destroyed documents
