SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A former high-profile Utah businessman serving an 11-year prison sentence for lying to banks is refusing to answer questions in an ongoing federal case against him and former Utah Attorney General John Swallow.
The Federal Election Commission sued Johnson and Swallow in 2015, saying they were involved in making $170,000 in illegal campaign contributions to Utah and Nevada politicians.
Johnson’s attorney, Kara Porter, said Tuesday her client’s decision to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination relates to an unrelated case against Swallow.
Johnson was ordered jailed for 30 days in February after refusing to testify in Swallow’s bribery case. Swallow was later acquitted of bribery and other charges.
Porter says Johnson understands failing to respond to the FEC will result in consequences but he doesn’t trust the government.
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