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GARFIELD COUNTY — An attorney in southern Utah has found himself on the wrong side of the law. He's been charged with trying to extort money and property from defendants he was supposed to represent.
In 2006, questions surfaced about whether John Hummel could legally serve as the elected attorney of Kane County when his primary residence was found to be in St. George. He resigned from office in 2007.
But now Hummel faces seven felony charges accusing him of theft by extortion. They stem from alleged misdeeds that occurred when he was hired by Garfield County as a public defender, to represent people who couldn't afford an attorney.
"Mr. Hummel was allegedly asking them to sign over horses and items they owned in their home, and tried to get them to pay him outright." Becki Bronson, Garfield County Sheriff's Office
"Mr. Hummel was allegedly asking them to sign over horses and items they owned in their home, and tried to get them to pay him outright," said Becki Bronson, spokeswoman for the Garfield County Sheriff's Office.
In one instance, Hummel is accused of telling a defendant he would stay in jail for another month and face more charges if he didn't sign over ownership of his guns and pay Hummel $5,000.
The allegations came to light when a defendant went to the prosecutor and complained about having to pay for a court-appointed lawyer. Hummel was terminated in November 2009.
Local authorities call it a serious violation of the public trust.
"I think that is the heart of this particular case," Bronson said. "He was someone that people who had nothing, (they) were trusting him to look out for their best interest and defend them properly; and our taxpayer money was going to Mr. Hummel."
Hummel was criminally charged in March. But instead of turning himself into a nearby jail, he traveled from St. George to Randolph — 882 miles round trip — and posted $20,000 in bail to a Rich County sheriff's deputy.
I wholeheartedly dispute the charges filed against me. Those who know me will know better than to believe these allegations.
–John Hummel
KSL News asked Hummel Wednesday if the long trip to turn himself in was because he was trying to avoid being fingerprinted or having a mug shot taken. He said he did not want to comment.
However, Hummel he did issue a written statement, which reads:
"I wholeheartedly dispute the charges filed against me. Those who know me will know better than to believe these allegations.
"I have much I would like to say about matters in Garfield County. Unfortunately, I am unable to discuss the case until the day of trial. I eagerly look forward to that day."
