- Frank Demcy Mylar admitted to attempted bribery during his 2024 campaign for Utah attorney general as part of a plea in abeyance.
- Charging documents say he offered a job to a fellow candidate for an endorsement but later said it was not an offer.
- Unique conditions of Mylar's plea include taking two pro bono cases and not running for office for one year.
SALT LAKE CITY — A former Utah attorney general candidate admitted on Friday to attempting to offer a job to a political opponent in exchange for support of his campaign.
Frank Demcy Mylar, 63, of Murray, entered a guilty plea in 3rd District Court to a reduced charge of attempted bribery in elections, a class A misdemeanor, as part of a plea in abeyance. If he follows the plea terms throughout the next year, the case will be dismissed. Attorneys agreed that he would not pay a fee for the plea in abeyance.
The terms for the plea require him to break no new laws, but also include two unique conditions: Mylar is required to take on at least two pro bono cases and to not run for public office during that year.
Third District Judge James Blanch said this deal allows Mylar to reflect on his actions while not having his actions continue to follow him through a criminal record.
"I hope it's been a learning experience for you," the judge said.
Mylar was initially charged with bribery in elections, a third-degree felony.
According to charging documents, he sent a text message to Trent Christensen, another candidate for Utah attorney general, offering him a job at the attorney general's office in exchange for an endorsement.
Christensen reported the text to law enforcement. According to charging documents, it said:
"Hey Trent. In my last day of trial and by God's grace my campaign has picked up more steam. I won in Weber and was only there 10 minutes. Overwhelmingly won Davis. If you could endorse me before the convention I would definitely include you in my office. Think about it for a few days. Thx. Good luck today."
About six hours after sending the first text, Mylar sent another asking Christensen to disregard the first text and that it was not an offer. He sent two more afterward apologizing and saying he believed Christensen had withdrawn.
Mylar later lost the GOP primary to Derek Brown.
Mylar has run a private law practice for over two decades, focusing on constitutional and government litigation, law enforcement, civil rights and religious liberty. Before that, he worked in the attorney general's office for 12 years and served as director of legal affairs for the Utah Department of Corrections.
