Business owner was looking for a ‘fair shake’ from Swallow

Politics » Former operator of call center says he felt he had been treated unfairly by state.

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"[He said] as soon as you get 10 grand, tell me. We’ll throw it over to Shurtleff. You’ll get a round of golf and you’ll be good," Christner said, but he refused. "I just don’t do that."

Swallow’s campaign said Friday that he does believe moving consumer protection would help it operate more efficiently and effectively. Legislators have balked at moving the agency in the past and a spokeswoman for Gov. Gary Herbert said the division should stay put. Utah is one of 17 states where consumer protection is an independent agency.

Now, Christner, who didn’t expect his tape to become the focus of media attention, said he is doing some small Web design work and developing mobile applications for small and mid-size businesses.

"I’m just trying to pick up my pieces. I was ruined by the State of Utah," he said, explaining he lost almost $1.5 million from the fallout with his earlier client "and the State of Utah came in and put me out of business. I’ve lost everything."

gehrke@sltrib.com

Twitter: @RobertGehrke

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