Attorney General Mark Shurtleff's office issued the statement to clarify its seemingly contradictory letters on the matter released a day earlier. The letters came from different officials in the A.G.'s Office, one seeming to indicate the investigation was being dropped and the other that it was going forward.

"Despite earlier reports to the contrary that no referral would be made, the Attorney General's Office views this investigation as essential to generate an objective determination of the facts for the benefit of the voters and other members of the public and to ensure the integrity of the election process," said the A.G.'s statement.

State Deputy Treasurer Richard Ellis alleges that Walker, in March, assured him he could keep his job, plus get a substantial pay increase - from $104,000 to $160,000 - if he would drop out of the Republican primary election for treasurer. According to Ellis, Walker told him he had talked to the person who could "make it happen."

Walker confirms that he and Ellis met in March, but denies extending the enticing job offer.

As a candidate for state treasurer, Walker had the backing of GOP top brass, including Shurtleff.

One letter sent Wednesday advised Weber County Attorney Mark DeCaria and Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings that they had been selected to conduct an independent investigation into the allegation.

The other letter, sent to Ellis's attorney Dale Gardiner, told him his request for special counsel was denied because the issue became moot after Walker lost the primary.

According to the A.G.'s statement Thursday, the criminal investigation will continue under DeCaria and Rawlings, and if the facts are substantiated, Walker could be charged with a misdemeanor.

Walker, 32, also faces possible scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee, after five of his legislative colleagues filed a complaint Wednesday regarding the same allegation and also a constitutional concern.

The two leaders of the House Ethics Committee have five days to decide if the complaint complies with legislative rules. If it does, the eight-person committee accepts it and must meet again within 30 days to determine if the charges fall under its jurisdiction and merit further inquiry.

Rep. LaWanna Shurtliff, D-Ogden, co-chairs the House Ethics Committee with Rep. Todd Kiser, R-Sandy.

Shurtliff said that Kiser was out of town Thursday, but she expects to confer with him early next week. "This is the first complaint we've had before us, so it's uncharted territory," she added.

Mor details on the investigation alleged election violations by state Rep. Mark Walker:

-- Two county attorneys will look into a possible misdemeanor charge

-- House Ethics Committee will consider alleged ethics violations

-- Five lawmakers requested ethics probe: Republican Reps. Sheryl Allen and Steve Mascaro, Democratic Reps. Phil Riesen, Roz McGee and Neil Hansen.