Extension of remarks: Utah's A.G. is O..

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

After months of slow but steady build-up, Thursday, the dam broke:

— Swallow resigns, proclaiming innocence: 'Time for the madness to stop.' — Robert Gehrke | The Salt Lake Tribune

"... Attorney General John Swallow was defiant as he stood before reporters, taking swipes at what he called politically motivated attacks that had exacted an unsustainable personal and financial toll on himself and his family. .."

— Swallow's overdue exit leaves need for exemplary replacement — Salt Lake Tribune Editorial

"... whomever the Republicans choose, the new attorney general should be the un-Swallow: distinguished attorney, experienced prosecutor, unquestioned consumer protection advocate with a desire to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute the same kinds of businesses that Swallow showed no shame in befriending over the years. ..."

— How to avoid John Swallow's fate — George Pyle|The Salt Lake Tribune

"... You can't spend years as a fixer and water-carrier for the kinds of businesses that public officials have to at least pretend to hate — pay-day lenders, multi-level marketers, get-rich-quick Internet "consultants" — and then suddenly turn about and present yourself as a squeaky clean, crusading, consumer-protecting white knight. Even if it was all legal. It just won't sell. ..."

— Good riddance to Swallow — Ogden Standard-Examiner Editorial

"... Frankly, good riddance to Swallow. Mr. Swallow was a pol who moved in circles of corruption. He associated himself with businesses and businesspersons that have histories of corruption and alleged criminal behavior. His election as Utah's attorney general was the result of the candidate with an "R" after his name nearly always being elected.

"We're glad he's gone. We urge Utah Gov. Gary Herbert to select a replacement with impeccable qualities of ethics and decency. The stench in the AG's office has been around for far too long. The air needs to be cleared. ..."

— Swallow's resignation was the right decision — Deseret News Editorial

"... Gov. Gary Herbert now has the responsibility to appoint Swallow's successor. Whoever that person is, it is essential that he or she be beyond reproach. There has been too much damage done to the state's reputation to allow for even the hint of scandal in the attorney general's office going forward. If there is one lesson to be learned from this disappointing episode, it is that public figures need to earn the trust of the people they serve."

— The Cost of John Swallow's 10 Months in Office — Bob Bernick | Utah Policy.com

Extension of remarks: Utah's A.G. is O.U.T.