Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert's office broke state law Tuesday.
The office's Web site that publishes financial-disclosure information from candidates, parties and political action groups is down until at least Thursday because of technical glitches. But state law says the information needed to be posted by Tuesday, a week after the original filing deadline.
"It obviously puts us in a tough position," said Joe Demma, Herbert's chief of staff.
The options are limited, Demma said: either put up wrong information or put up no information.
"We're simply not ready to load a Web site that doesn't have everything right," he said.
A new online disclosure system was implemented in the first part of December. Demma says testing was done, but top officials weren't told of problems and glitches.
"There are only so many questions you can ask and be told, 'Don't worry, everything is fine,'" he said.
There is no legal penalty for not following the law, but the Department of Technology Services is working "20 hours a day" to fix the problem, Demma said. Originally, the office said the information would be posted by Tuesday, but then changed it to Thursday.
When asked if they'll be ready by Thursday, Demma's reply: "Probably."
He reminded Utahns that all of the disclosure information is still available by visiting the Lieutenant Governor's Office in the Capitol.
"We'll assist whomever wants to get the information, and we'll have it up and online in no time," he said.
20A-11-1002 (1) The chief election officer shall:
(a) make each financial statement required by this chapter:
(i) open to public inspection in the office of the chief election officer; and
(ii) available for viewing on the Internet at the lieutenant governor's website within seven calendar days after the report is received by the chief election officer.
