Not so fast.

County investigators wonder if Workman's withdrawal violates a county ordinance that requires campaign money be spent for political purposes.

Hours before Wednesday's opening arguments in the former Salt Lake County mayor's criminal trial, District Attorney David Yocom confirmed that his office is "looking into" Workman's campaign cash-out.

The county ordinance also prohibits candidates from depositing campaign contributions into a personal or business account, which Workman may have done.

Workman did not return calls requesting information on how or if the money has been spent. And prosecutors stress they have no proof the beleaguered ex-mayor plans to use the money for nonpolitical purposes.

But Yocom says due diligence requires that his office review the matter despite his rocky relations with Workman, a Republican who accused the Democratic district attorney of playing politics with the felony charges she now faces in court.

"The law requires me to look into it. That's my function," said Yocom, who insists he is going to "do my job, no matter what the circumstances are with her."

But Yocom was quick to point out he doesn't know where the inquiry will lead or if the ordinance can be applied because Workman - technically - no longer is a candidate.

"If she finds out she may be in violation of a county ordinance, I don't think she's going to run out and buy herself a trip to the Bahamas," he said.

Workman apparently did not use the money to cover campaign expenses. According to her financial disclosures, she paid her campaign phone bills, campaign consultant and state party tab by year's end.

She didn't use the money to compensate her political staff.

"We were square by the end of the year," said Chris Bleak, Workman's former campaign manager, who noted his contract was honored before Monday, when Workman cut herself the large check.

She didn't use the campaign funds for her legal defense either.

"We're paid in full," said Greg Skordas, one of Workman's attorneys in this week's trial.

Skordas says he has had no conversations with his client about the leftover money. "My understanding is she put it in another account, and she is waiting to decide what to do with it. She hasn't spent it."

Either way, the $174,000-plus would have to be claimed as income, which would be taxed in 2006.

Personal use of campaign cash apparently will continue in Utah. A legislative committee blocked a bill by Sen. Karen Hale, D-Salt Lake City, that would have stopped the practice.

Salt Lake County officials are not ready to say whether Workman's withdrawal broke the county ordinance.

"We will look at the meeting minutes and see how the language was drafted . . . whether there was any legislative intent," said Karl Hendrickson, chief deputy for the district attorney. "We want to review it thoroughly before we make any conclusions."

Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson says Workman should have done some homework before she cashed out.

"She should have checked with the district attorney," said Wilson, a Democrat who heads up a new ethics subcommittee. "I would encourage her to give it to charity."

The worst move would be for Workman to use the money to pay off a mortgage or buy a boat, Wilson added.

Any appearance of impropriety affects public confidence in officeholders, said Sandy Peck, executive director of Utah's League of Women Voters.

"There's an expectation that candidates use contributions for political purposes," Peck said. "This kind of thing is discouraging. It erodes trust."