And even if you’re an assistant attorney general, you still have a perfectly legitimate and legal right to moonlight on behalf of your friends. After all, there is no legal obligation to treat all Utahns the same. You know that some Utahns are more deserving than others in the legal system. That is why neutrality — normally expected of a prosecutor — doesn’t apply in this case, not when you have connections to channels of money and power that can be of most service to your friend. So I don’t blame Swallow one little bit for leaping to Johnson’s aid by enlisting the help of his former business colleague Richard Rawle, the wealthy owner of Check City who donated generously to both Reid and Swallow campaigns. Who wouldn’t do the same?

Nobody should read anything nefarious — certainly nothing like a walk-up to a $600,000 bribe of a U.S. Senator — between the lines of an e-mail from Swallow to Johnson titled, “Mtg. with Harry Reid’s contact.” No, no, no. It was pure, innocent goodwill that produced the body of the e-mail. Swallow wrote: “Richard is traveling to LV tomorrow and will be able to contact this person, who he has a very good relationship with. He needs a brief narrative of what is going on and what you want to happen. I don’t know the cost, but it probably won’t be cheap.” Later, in a secretly recorded meeting, Swallow admits to Johnson: “No wonder they’re after me …  I’m really vulnerable.” Did I mention that I see no problem with any of this? OK, I take it back.

Reid’s office said Monday that the senator “had no knowledge or involvement” in any scheme to help Johnson, and I believe him — just like I believed Bill Clinton when he said, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” Politicians can rationalize anything and it doesn’t make them dishonest. Reid is on record stating that “Income taxes are voluntary,” and since he was telling the truth about that, I think he’s telling the truth about Swallow. I say the alleged bribery scheme is pure fiction. Never mind. I take that back, too.