An investigation of Republican Senate primary opponents Tim Bridgewater and Mike Lee by the Lieutenant Governor's Office found that neither candidate had committed a "willful and knowing" violation of state lobbying law.

Just before the Republican primary in June, competing complaints were filed with the Lieutenant Governor's Office.

First a pair of complaints that Lee had lobbied for 1-800 Contacts and Allied Waste without registering as a lobbyist, followed by a complaint that Bridgewater had done the same for Raser Technologies.

Lee won the Republican primary in mid-June and faces Democrat Sam Granato in November.

After nearly three months of investigation, Mark Thomas, administrator of the Lieutenant Governor's Office, notified the complainants that "my office has reviewed those allegations and has found no evidence of a willful or knowing violation of [state law]."

Both Sens. Dan Liljenquist and Steve Urquhart said Lee had lobbied them on behalf of 1-800 Contacts. Lee also testified in a legislative committee meeting that a bill that would have benefitted Allied Waste was a "vote to protect the free market economy from local government monopolization."

Lee had said he acted only as legal counsel for both companies.

Thomas said interviews were conducted with various legislators — including Liljenquist and Urquhart.

Liljenquist said he had had a phone conversation with the Lieutenant Governor's Office that lasted a few minutes in which he recounted his interaction with Lee.

Lobbyists for the companies in question were also interviewed, as was Michael Cragun, the former counsel to then-Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, who advised Lee he did not need to register. The evidence collected was also reviewed by the Attorney General's Office. —

What the lobby law says

36-11-403. Lobbying without a license.

(1) No person may engage in any lobbying activities:

(a) without the license required by this chapter;

36-11-401. Penalties.

(1) Any person who willfully and knowingly violates [the law] is subject to … an administrative penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation.