Financial questions have yet to be resolved

Following the acquittal of former Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman, two financial questions still loom: Can she bill Salt Lake County for her defense? And what happens to more than $174,000 in contributions she cashed out of a campaign fund Jan. 31?

Why can Workman ask the county to pay her defense tab?

Under Utah law, public officers or employees accused of committing a crime while carrying out their duties are entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and court costs if the charges are quashed, dismissed or result in an acquittal. Greg Skordas, one of Workman's defense attorneys, says the county was put "on notice" before the trial that Workman would ask to be reimbursed if she was acquitted. "The county will find [the attorney fees] to be fair and reasonable, and they will reimburse her," said Skordas, who declined to specify an amount. The request includes fees paid to her previous defense attorney, Ron Yengich, he added.

Does the county have to reimburse her?

John Soltis, director of the civil division for the district attorney, says whether his office will accept or decline Workman's request is an "open question." "She's going to have to prove the absence of fraud or willful misconduct to get her fees," Soltis said. "It's not automatic." If the district attorney declines her request, Workman could sue Salt Lake County in civil court - and Skordas says she will. Soltis acknowledged two county officials have been reimbursed for their criminal defense costs over the past six years. Most recently, the county reimbursed former fleet manager William Finney, who was charged with a felony for violating spending practices. The charges were reduced to a misdemeanor and the case ultimately was dismissed.

Did Workman violate any laws by keeping more than $174,000 in campaign contributions? If so, will the district attorney prosecute?

Prosecutors say they are still reviewing the legislative intent of a county ordinance - rewritten a year ago - that calls for campaign cash to be spent only on "political purposes." "We're not in any position to draw any conclusions yet," said Karl Hendrickson, chief deputy for the district attorney, after Workman's acquittal Thursday. Hendrickson said the jury's decision is not relevant to the DA's review, which he calls an "independent ordinance analysis." Workman said Thursday she has transferred the cash to a savings account, but has not spent any, and will meet with her accountant before deciding what to do with it.