Swallow defense witnesses begin in influence-peddling trial

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A political public affairs consultant is testifying that ex-Utah Attorney General John Swallow’s campaign finance reports seemed common for a person seeking statewide office.
Gary Marx spoke Tuesday as a defense witness during the influence-peddling trial for Swallow. Swallow denies accusations that he took campaign donations and gifts from fraudsters and businessmen in exchange for favorable treatment in investigations.
He is charged with 10 counts, including bribery and evidence tampering, in one of the highest-profile scandals in state history.
Defense attorneys began laying out their case Tuesday. They do not plan to bring one of the highest-profile names on their initial list, House Speaker Greg Hughes.
Swallow’s defense attorney Scott Williams contends the case is a smear campaign against a successful politician, and that prosecutors are twisting the facts to fit the story they want to tell.