Treasurer’s race probe: Walker charged with misdemeanor – Salt Lake Tribune.
Bribery allegations launched last spring during the heated Republican primary for the state treasurer’s race culminated today in a misdemeanor charge filed in Salt Lake City’s Justice Court against former Rep. Mark Walker.
In late June, Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings and Weber County Attorney Mark DeCaria launched an extensive investigation into the allegation. In December, the pair teamed with Salt Lake City Prosecutor Sim Gill to bring the case to court.
In a release Friday morning, Gill said that, after reviewing materials connected with the investigation, a criminal filing is warranted against Walker for violating state election law prohibiting “inducements not to become a candidate.”
The drawn-out saga began in late May when GOP candidate Richard Ellis — since elected state treasurer — filed an elections complaint with Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert’s office. Ellis alleged that Walker promised him in March that Ellis could keep his state job as deputy treasurer and get a $55,000 raise if he would drop out of the race.
Walker had been endorsed at the GOP state convention in early May by House and Senate leaders, along with Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, who donated $5,000 to his campaign and also co-hosted a fund-raiser on Walker’s behalf.
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