Q&A: Utah A.G. John Swallow responds to Johnson’s allegations

Q & A » John Swallow’s responses to questions regarding his involvement with Jeremy Johnson.

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Swallow • My reference was to that meeting. Mr. Johnson asked me to meet with him for a few minutes and I was in Orem campaigning at the time so we met at the doughnut shop. I believe that his primary purpose was to encourage me to encourage Mr. Rawle to refund a portion of the lobby money to him.

Tribune • In your earlier responses, you mentioned that you were paid for consulting work done in compliance with Utah law. Was that consulting work done for Richard Rawle? What was the nature of the consulting work?

Swallow • Yes. I did non-law related consulting and market research on a Nevada limestone project.

Tribune • Did you arrange to pay Johnson $75,000 on Dec. 3 through funds deposited into an escrow account? What was the purpose of that payment?

Swallow • No. It’s my understanding that Mr. Rawle paid a partial refund on his lobby agreement. It was negotiated between counsel and as I understand it was paid to one of Mr. Johnson’s former officers or employees who put up some of the money for the lobby agreement.

Tribune • Since we posed our previous questions to you, have you been interviewed by the FBI? If so, what was the purpose of the meeting? Have you met with anyone from the U.S. Attorney’s Office about this matter? If so, what was the nature of those discussions? Was there a specific deal proffered by the U.S. Attorney’s Office?

Swallow • No, no and no. I have not been contacted. You might want to be concerned that Mr. Johnson is manipulating you.

Tribune • You mentioned you had hired an attorney to deal with this matter. Do you still have the same attorney? If so, who is it and what has he or she done regarding the allegations?

Swallow • Yes. I have hired the law firm of Clyde Snow and Sessions, which I retained in June in response to the Reyes law suit. They are working hard on a defamation case against those who are defaming me. Your questions indicate that false and defamatory statements are still being made about me.

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