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OGDEN — Two former police officers are facing criminal charges for allegedly trying to bribe a Utah Highway Patrol trooper for help in a DUI case.
Matthew Scott Jones and Daniel Kotter, both 34-years-old, are each facing a single charge of extortion or bribery to dismiss criminal proceedings, a second-degree felony, in 2nd District Court.
Kotter offered (the officer) $1,000 to not appear at an upcoming Driver License Division hearing for Jones, calling the money a "Christmas bonus." - Court documents
Jones, a former Ogden police officer, was charged with driving under the influence, a class B misdemeanor, in August, two days after being pulled over by a UHP trooper.
After Jones' arrest, Kotter allegedly sent a text message to the trooper and asked "to talk," court documents state. The trooper spoke with Kotter over the phone, and Kotter allegedly offered him $1,000 to not appear at an upcoming Driver License Division hearing for his friend — Jones.
The alleged bribe increased to $2,500 over the course of the conversation, after it was revealed that Jones' blood-alcohol level had been about .15 — nearly twice the legal limit — and Kotter said the money could be classified as "a Christmas bonus," according to court documents.
Jones had apparently applied for a job that required him to have a commercial driver's license, which wouldn't be possible to obtain with a DUI on his record.
The trooper missed the Sept. 13 hearing and Kotter met with him afterward and handed over $2,000. Kotter was arrested after driving away from the encounter.
Kotter, who was working part-time for the Perry Police Department, was terminated Oct. 13, Perry City administrator Duncan Murray said. He had been with the department just a few weeks.
Jones had his peace officer certification revoked in 2007 after Utah's Police Officer Standards and Training found he engaged in a pattern of misconduct.
Jones and Kotter met sometime while both were working in the Weber County Jail and Weber County Sheriff's Office.
Email:emorgan@ksl.com
