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Gov. Gary Herbert said on Sept. 29 that if a former Utah Transit Authority board member profited millions off a land deal near a transit development, that would cause him "grave concern," and he is glad the attorney general is investigating.
A legislative audit earlier this year said former Utah Transit Authority board member Terry Diehl used official information to acquire land near a planned commuter rail station. According to audit notes released last week, he made up to $24 million when he sold the land. Diehl, in a previous interview, said most of the money he received was used to cover expenses.
The audit said Diehl may have broken the law; Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff's office is investigating.
"I'm concerned. I'm a taxpayer just like you are and if in fact someone is profiting inappropriately, that causes me grave concern," Herbert said during his monthly KUED news conference. "That being said, again, I know these are suppositions and allegations and whether they're true or not regarding the former board member, I don't know."
The governor said he is "absolutely" glad to see the attorney general investigating the deals.
Herbert said he has met with UTA board chairman and state Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, who has assured him that the transit authority has implemented changes to ensure it is more open and transparent in order to avoid such conflicts.
"There ought not be the appearance of anything that would be the conflict of interest," Herbert said.
Diehl told The Tribune this month that he is actively pursuing other development deals near UTA projects. Typically board members are prohibited from doing business with UTA for a year after leaving, but the agency granted an exception to Diehl following a closed-door board meeting.