Salt Lake Mayor Charged in Funds Scandal (Nancy Workman-R)

[Khephra]

SALT LAKE CITY - The mayor of Utah's most populous county was charged Tuesday with misusing public money by placing a county employee at a nonprofit group as a bookkeeper to assist her daughter, who is the group's chief financial officer.

The two felony charges mean Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman, who is seeking re-election in November, will be placed on paid administrative leave.

Last week, a panel of four prosecutors from neighboring counties said they'd found "sufficient credible evidence" for charging Workman with misusing $17,000 in taxpayer funds.

Salt Lake County District Attorney David Yocom, a Democrat who has clashed with the Republican Workman, turned over the investigation to the panel, which found charges against the mayor warranted, but left to Yocom the decision on whether to prosecute.

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/nation/9600820.htm

[David__77]

1. Democrats need to win that post.

Salt Lake COUNTY must become a Democratic stronghold over the longer term in order for Democrats to begin to be viable in Utah again statewide. I think it will happen. With Latino influx and out-of-staters in general moving there, it's highly probable. Many "regular" Republicans move to Utah, and find that the Utah GOP is too far right for them. They are totally beholden to an extreme agenda that will not serve them well in the non-LDS-majority future of Utah.

[Almost_there]

2. I'm not sure I understand your point

I understand that it would be great for Salt Lake County to become a democratic "stronghold" as you put it, but, how? The state is what? 90% LDS, and SL County is about 55% LDS, and call it another 20% republican (assuming 50% of the remaining 45%), and you think that it will become a Democratic "Stronghold"? Plus, the number of illegal immigrants in Utah is quite high, leading to the high number of hispanics, but, they don't vote. And if a Republican who is "centrist", thinks that the Utah GOP is too far right, I don't know that they would vote Democratic. Just my thoughts. I really don't see Utah going anywhere but (R) in the near or far future.

~Almost

[David__77]

3. Well, if I understand correctly...

Utah as a whole is about 60% LDS. Salt Lake City is not LDS Majority any more. It's certainly a good possibility that the county will follow. I believe centrist Republicans will vote for a Democrat in Utah because it has happened. Jim Matheson is winning in a very strong GOP district that, under current boundaries, Bush won by a very good margin of 20+ points. If Matheson can do this, I think it lays a good foundation for other victories. As recently as the early '90s, other Utah districts elected Democrats as well. A combination of progressive Democrats in Salt Lake area and centrist ones elsewhere could get a good plurality going. That's the point of my post.

[Jandar]

5. Utah will never ever be anything but a red state.

Aside from a few pockets such as Salt Lake City (not county) and Ogden, Utah is overwhelmingly GOP. Even the Dem's that bother to run are usually just republicans that couldn't get on the Mormon ticket. You never see an opposition candidate even labeling themselves as a Democrat, it's like the kiss of death. In the county where I live, Bush won with a ratio of 5 to 1; I'm surprised he did that well. I live in fear.

[samtob]

4. Won't happen....

First let me explain something about this state (I happen to be trapped here in Utah) regardless of the rosy picture painted by our party (democrats) we will never have a strong hold on this state.

Even though the percentage of LDS is not what it used to be (closer to 65 - 67%) there is still a very strong base of non LDS conservatives in this state.

Every registered democrat and independent voter could vote twice, and we would still be out numbered by the registered republicans.

Unfortunately, I don't think Matheson has a chance in this election. Huntsman is a very well known and respected name in this state. To be painfully honest with you, they have supported a large number of worthy charities and other programs.

Having said that, in regards to Nancy Workman, if she committed a crime, she should be charged, and prosecuted. David Yocum (Salt Lake County District Atty - D) has arguably had it in for Workman since she took office (not my words, but public opinion) they are questioning the timing of the charges, right before the election. I may be wrong, but I can see the media beginning a campaign against Yocum, questioning his role in the matter, and his timing.

Now, taking the party affiliations out of this, the organization that benefited from this ordeal was a non profit, boys and girls club....... it makes me sick to say it, but damn, come on we should be doing more for these organizations helping children, not persecuting those that do.

[Larkspur]

6. Good news for Howard Dean's cousin, who is the Dem running

for Salt Lake City mayor. Peter Corroon, http://www.democracyforamerica.com/candidates/candidate.php?district_id=55, was up by 10 pts -- 33-23 http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2406170 -- before this announcement and most likely will increase his lead.

Go Pete! Go Howard!