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Utah leaders are coming to the defense of Ogden's police chief who is accused of violating federal law.
Chief Jon Greiner also is a state senator. Federal agents say that violates the Hatch Act. It restricts the political activity of state, county or city employees working with federal money.
But Senate President-elect Michael Waddoups says this is much ado about nothing.
"My understanding is that there is some political intrigue, if you will, going on there. There are some people who are trying to stir up a non-issue. This issue has been decided in courts in other states. It's just something that people do to make a little stain get on someone's name and hope it will stick for later on, then really trying to get someone out of office by a violation of the law."
Greiner has said he checked before running for office two years ago and was told he was not violating the law. But he'll have a hearing in June. If he's found guilty, he may have to quit his police job or forfeit two years' salary.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
