This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker on Tuesday condemned the actions of his city spokesman in taking online swipes at the mayor's political rivals under the pseudonym WhiskeyPete on Salt Lake Tribune comment boards.

"What he did in this instance was both wrong and not acceptable to me," Becker told reporter Jennifer Napier-Pearce during Trib Talk, The Tribune's weekday video chat.

"There was clearly a very bad mistake in judgment by Art Raymond in his use of city property because some of his blog entries, which included both my opponents and others, including the Tribune, were really casting aspersions on others."

Raymond was placed on administrative leave Thursday after The Tribune contacted him about his anonymous online political commentary and he acknowledged he had written the jabs on the city computer in his office. He said he had composed the comments during breaks and that they reflected his personal opinions as a resident, and he defended his remarks as in compliance with city policy and protected under his free-speech rights.

State law prohibits using public funds for politicking ­— although the statute is untested. City policy also bans use of government computers or phones for non-city purposes beyond a minimal use.

The Tribune asked Raymond whether he had used city resources to make the posts after a reader flagged a comment by WhiskeyPete. The commenting software automatically displayed WhiskeyPete's email address — containing Raymond's full name and a city-owned Internet Protocol, or IP number — when a staffer reviewed the comment for compliance with site standards.

Acting city spokeswoman Helen Langan told The Tribune on Tuesday that the investigation of Raymond is being conducted by the city human resources department and is ongoing.

Becker, who faces four challengers going into a hard-fought Aug. 11 primary from which only two candidates will emerge, said the incident is unfortunate.

"I know that Art's assuming responsibility for it and I know everyone around me knows that this kind of practice is both wrong, from my vantage point, but also doesn't reflect the approach that I take in dealing with people," the mayor said on Trib Talk. "I'm, as you know, a firm believer in civility and in respecting people and in treating people accordingly."

Becker and then-Lt. Gov. Greg Bell were leaders of an initiative in 2011 promoting civility in public discourse. He said he is working with current Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox on a similar effort advancing the ideal of "compassionate and civil discourse."

Dan Harrie