This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Regarding the article, "Payments to Diehl raise questions" (The Tribune, May 23):
How does corruption flourish? By having smaller groups control more and more power with impunity. That means, not being scrutinized or questioned.
Thus, when Republicans push to remove the federal government from states' businesses and controls, in reality they remove oversight from corrupt state politicians and the lobbying businesses who enrich them. The story above is a perfect example. The light-rail system, "TRAX," began with funds from "Federal Transit Authority" prior to the 2002 Winter Olympics. Sadly for Diehl and his cohorts described in story above, federal money usually comes with federal oversight and thus you have federal prosecutors issuing 12 criminal counts against the former UTA board member.
Also being investigated is Utah House Speaker and UTA chairman Greg Hughes, owner/manager of "Urban Chase," a property management firm which conveniently issued contracts to and invested in Hughes and companies.
Former House majority leader and co-owner and partner in "Thackerey Garn Development Firm," Kevin Garn made multiple $50,000 investments into Diehl and companies.
It goes on and on and you wonder why states want the federal government out of their business?
Robert Hoff
Taylorsville