7/30/2019 Statement from Attorney General John Swallow

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STATEMENT FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN SWALLOW

Jeremy Johnson is desperate to do and say anything possible to attempt to secure a better deal

with federal prosecutors. He has made false and defaming statements about me and now

apparently the U.S. Attorney’s Office. It is hard to accept anyone would give any credibility to

Mr. Johnson’s outrageous assertions. 

Two and a half years ago Mr. Johnson presented himself as an honest businessman who was not

being treated fairly by the FTC. I told him Richard Rawle, a friend and former client, had

experience working with federal lobbyists and might be able to help him work with regulators.

This was months before any action was filed by the federal government. Mr. Johnson made

many statements to the Salt Lake Tribune that I would like to correct about my dealings with

him, including:

* I did not broker a deal to pay a $600,000 “bribe” to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tomake the FTC investigation go away. This allegation is ludicrous on its face. Mr. Johnson

provided one of my e-mails to the Salt Lake Tribune that supports I recommended a lawful wayto work with the FTC and contradicts Johnson’s statement he was going to pay money to quashthe investigation. An affidavit of Richard Rawle, who passed away last month, makes it very

clear that Mr. Johnson’s allegations are not truthful: “I have recently heard that Mr. Johnson ismaking allegations that money was used to inappropriately influence a member of Congress. I

have no knowledge of any such plan and expressly deny this allegation.” 

*I have never told Mr. Johnson the FTC lawsuit was filed because Senator Reid wanted more

money. Also, an affidavit from Scott Leavitt, Johnson’s business partner, states he paid $200,000to Richard Rawle to try and prevent a lawsuit but that “no results were guaranteed.”

*The FBI has never contacted me about Mr. Johnson and Senator Reid nor have I been notified

that I am under any investigation. I have never “worried Johnson was cutting a deal with federal  prosecutors.” If I am contacted, I pledge to give full and complete cooperation. 

*I have never been asked to be on a “protection list” and know very well the U.S. Attorney’sOffice would never accept such a list. My attorney also made it very clear to Mr. Johnson’sattorney that I did not want to be on any list. Putting my name on the list was another calculated

way for Mr. Johnson to draw attention to me and harm me.

*I did tell Mr. Johnson the lobbyists would be expensive but was never involved in any

negotiations over the costs. I was also never in a meeting with Mr. Rawle and Mr. Johnson.

Richard Rawle notes in his affidavit that I did not attend any meetings and did not have any

“substantive involvement” in his lobbying effort. In fact I only recently learned the identities of 

the lobbyists.

*I have never received a political donation from Mr. Johnson and did not receive any

compensation for the introduction to Richard Rawle. Mr. Rawle confirmed this fact in his sworn

testimony: “None of the money was paid or intended to be paid to John Swallow for his

introduction of I Works or Mr. Johnson to me,"

7/30/2019 Statement from Attorney General John Swallow

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Mr. Johnson has also told reporters he wanted to protect me from federal prosecutors because he

is my friend. However, for the past year he has been meeting with political opponents and

reporters to do everything he can to damage me as a desperate way to get out of his own legal

problems. I have now learned from the Tribune story that he also surreptitiously photographed

and recorded our conversations.

My intentions were good but I misjudged Mr. Johnson’s character and regret meeting with him.I will learn from this mistake and do everything possible to make sure my actions are transparent

and make sure our office will be vigilant in going after anyone who defrauds the public.

Attachments: Richard Rawle Affidavit

Scott Leavitt Affidavit