This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Embattled former Utah Attorney General John Swallow will hear the evidence against him in his criminal case during a five-day preliminary hearing in June.
The hearing, set for June 8-12, was scheduled Tuesday during a meeting in 3rd District Judge Paul Parker's chambers, according to court records.
At the preliminary hearing, prosecutors will present evidence and call witnesses, and Parker will decide whether there is probable cause for Swallow to stand trial on the 14 charges — 12 felonies and 2 misdemeanors — filed against him.
Included in the charges are multiple counts of receiving or soliciting bribes, tampering with evidence, obstructing justice, accepting a gift and participating in a pattern of unlawful conduct.
Swallow and his predecessor, former Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, were first charged in July with multiple criminal counts. If convicted, each man could face prison terms of up to 30 years.
Charges against Swallow and Shurtleff were brought jointly by Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, a Democrat, and Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings, a Republican. They followed nearly two years of investigative work by county, state and federal authorities, state lawmakers and the lieutenant governor's office.
Prosecutors allege Shurtleff and Swallow— both Republicans — established a pay-to-play culture inside the Utah attorney general's office.
Shurtleff was first elected to the attorney general's office in 2000 and served a dozen years. In December 2013, his handpicked successor, Swallow, stepped down less than a year into his first term.
Both former attorneys general have proclaimed their innocence.
Shurtleff is expected to be in court on Feb. 12 to schedule a preliminary hearing in his case. He is facing nine felony charges, including allegations of receiving bribes, accepting gifts, witness and evidence tampering and obstructing justice.
Twitter: @jm_miller