In a series of nearly unanimous votes on Monday, Utah lawmakers concluded the yearslong corruption scandal surrounding John Swallow by approving a $1.5 million settlement reimbursing the former attorney general for his legal fees.
Debate during Monday’s special legislative session was minimal, with House and Senate leaders arguing to their colleagues — some of whom participated in an investigation of Swallow’s activities as attorney general — that it was the lesser of two evils to authorize the payment and end the ongoing legal battle stemming from Swallow’s acquittal in 2017.
“The goal of this is to basically cut our losses for the state and move forward,” said Rep.