Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful has been an avid supporter of ethics reform and became involved in a complaint brought against Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper that he offered $50,000 in campaign contributions back in 2006 to former Rep. Susan Lawrence if she would support voucher legislation.
“First of all, it started with what was to be a private meeting with several legislators,” said Allen. “The complaint was involving other problems, not just Susan Lawrence. We received more information in July and August, and it took this long to bring it all forward.”
Allen said her involvement had more to do with the ethics committee process than just the Hughes complaint. “It is a broader spectrum,” she said. “There needs to be a better way if someone has a concern. I’d like to see it be more like the Judicial Conduct Commission where they take it there first, then the next step is to the public. The meeting was meant to improve the process.”
Hughes has denied the claims and in turn filed a complaint against Rep. Phil Riesen, D-Holladay, asserting he leaked information about the ethics complaint to the media.
Davis County attorney David Irvine has joined a team of lawyers to file a counter-claim against Hughes on behalf of Riesen stating he was acting on his belief that Hughes’ actions were unethical and should be brought forward.
Hughes has blamed dirty politics for the accusations coming out so close to the election.
But Utah Democratic Vice Chair Rob Miller believes it’s not a Democrat versus Republican thing, but more to do with fear of retribution within the Republican Party.
“It started out as a Republican versus Republican complaint,” said Miller. “I’ve seen the fear. When I was running for County Commission there were so many Republicans silently supporting me. They are too scared of their own party leaders to come out (publicly).”
Miller said the Democrats got pulled into the complaint because they wanted to do the ethical thing. “Reisen believes people should know,” said Miller. “All the statutes I’ve read say he has broken no laws. This is outright retribution.”
During his time in office Miller said he has gotten close to members from both parties and he knows the fear is out there.
“During the most recent campaign for J. Dell Holbrook, someone (a Republican) came to me and said he would vote for Holbrook, but wouldn’t come out publicly because he was scared to lose party support,” he said.
“I’m not out for a one-party Democratic system. I think there are great people on both sides. People should know what tactics are used. Very few ran on vouchers in 2006 but after they were elected it came out.”
Allen has decided not to sign the complaint against Hughes but reiterated her concern for ethics reform.
“I absolutely believe there was pressure on her (Allen) not to sign,” said Miller. “It is a real problem on Capitol Hill. It’s not a Republican problem or a Democratic problem but a Utah problem. The laws are too lax.”
bginos@davisclipper.com
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