Three Democratic lawmakers filed an ethics complaint against Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, saying that in 2006 he told former GOP Rep. Susan Lawrence that he knew where she could get as much as $50,000 in campaign donations if she would support a private school voucher program. Lawrence declined the offer and later voted against the program, which passed by one vote.

The complaint also accused Hughes of extortion for shaking down lobbyists for contributions in exchange for votes they needed on certain bills.

No criminal charges have been filed against Hughes.

Hughes maintained Wednesday that he's done nothing wrong and the complaint is an attempt to hurt his chances for re-election. Early voting begins Oct. 21 and Hughes said he's worried the sluggish pace of the closed hearings could harm him. No witnesses had been called by early Wednesday afternoon.

''My speedy trial isn't so speedy right now," Hughes said.

Political action committees, lobbyists, candidates and individuals regularly give large amounts of money to candidates who support their issues. In Utah, there are no limits on the amount of campaign contributions someone can give and what that money can be spent on.

In response to the complaint against him, Hughes and two other Republicans filed their own complaint against Rep. Phil Riesen, D-Salt Lake City, for showing the complaint against Hughes to reporters before it was filed. Closed hearings on that complaint also began Wednesday.

''We have a daunting task in front of us," said ethics committee chairman Todd Kiser, R-Sandy.

Kiser said subpoenas have been issued for about 40 witnesses and that the hearings could last weeks. The list of witnesses includes Elisa Clements, executive director for the pro-voucher group Parents for Choice in Education; Blaze Warton, an influential lobbyist with numerous clients; and a slew of lawmakers including House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, and Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo.

If the committee finds that either Hughes or Riesen violated House rules, it could recommend to the full House that it censure or expel them. A majority of the House would then have to vote to approve, dismiss or change that recommendation. If expulsion from the Legislature is recommended, a two-thirds vote would be necessary to approve it.

The Legislature doesn't convene again until January.