Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Gov. Gary Herbert is calling for Utah lawmakers to create a new state office that serves as an independent ethics office.
Herbert said in his annual State of the State address Wednesday night that he's working with several lawmakers and state Attorney General Sean Reyes to create a new office of Inspector General.
The Republican governor offered few details but says the office will be independent and ensure "the highest levels of ethics and official conduct in state government."
He says the proposal will be introduced as a bill during this year's legislative session.
State officials have turned a greater focus to ethics issues over the past two years as a bribery scandal unfolded around former Attorney General John Swallow.
Swallow, who has denied wrongdoing, has been accused of trading favors with multiple businessmen.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
