SALT LAKE CITY -- The former candidate who was accused of offering a bribe to his opponent in the state treasurer's race has resigned his post in the Legislature.
State Rep. Mark Walker submitted his letter of resignation Sunday night. The House Ethics Committee was scheduled to convene Monday to look into claims that Walker offered to give deputy treasurer Richard Ellis a hefty raise if Ellis stepped down from the race.
Walker's attorney, Jim Bradshaw, said his client decided it was better to resign and end the political investigation. He is also being investigated by two county attorneys appointed by the state attorney general. Bradshaw said Walker did nothing illegal and is cooperating in the legal investigation.
Ellis beat Walker with 59 percent of the vote in the Republican primary last month. Although the campaign was over, the investigation was just beginning.
Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert forwarded a complaint to Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, who appointed the Davis and Weber county attorneys to investigate whether the state's bribery laws were violated. Shurtleff had endorsed Walker in the treasurer's race.
A great man run out of the Legislature. This witch hunt has to end soon. He was trying to upset the status quo of the Teasurers office and got smacked down for it by Ellis and the powers that be.
