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CLEARFIELD, Utah (AP) -- The former mayor of Clearfield says two hours of looking at the wrong Web sites on the Internet cost him his job and likely his political career.
Hundreds of pornographic images were found on the city-owned laptop of former mayor Dan Phelps, who resigned in February, citing "personal reasons."
Following an anonymous tip, the Standard-Examiner in Ogden filed a government records request for any documentation from Phelps' city computer "showing inappropriate use for the purpose of viewing pornography."
The newspaper received a disk from the city containing 8,292 files downloaded between Jan. 18 and Feb. 11, many of which included images and videos from pornographic Web sites.
Phelps told the newspaper he had visited the inappropriate sites over three days after a pop-up ad appeared on his computer.
"I had everything going for me," Phelps said. "It's amazing what two hours of choices can do to you."
Phelps said he did not have a pattern of regularly viewing pornography. He said he spent about 15 minutes the first day on porn sites, 20 minutes the next and about 90 minutes the last time.
Phelps said he sought out the city Information Systems Manager Mark Peacock, then acting City Manager Kay Chandler and City Attorney Larry Waggoner, to detail his indiscretion.
Phelps said there were 10 days or so of discussions and talks with the city's elected officials before he resigned Feb. 21, just six weeks into his term.
"Two hours on the Internet has cost me my job, my calling and serving as mayor in a community I love," he said.
------ Information from: Standard-Examiner, http://www.standard.net
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
