For months, FBI agents had wrapped up their probe of former state Rep. Justin Miller, but no charges were filed. That left Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams and his supporters baffled.
McAdams had accused Miller of stealing thousands of dollars of his campaign funds, and he not only had financial documentation, but also an audio recording of his confrontation with Miller, a former top aide.
The mayor saw it as an easy, straightforward case.
The complication was that Miller had leveled accusations against McAdams, saying his administration had inked shady county contracts with campaign supporters.
The FBI took the allegations seriously and investigated. As first reported by Fox 13 News, that probe has now ended and McAdams is in the clear.
"The FBI has concluded its investigation into Ben McAdams and found no evidence of wrongdoing," FBI spokesman Todd Palmer said Thursday.
Completion of that probe within recent weeks should all but end a drama that has consumed the Utah Democratic Party for months.
McAdams spokeswoman Alyson Heyrend said the outcome was "not surprising."
"We've said all along that there has been no wrongdoing by the mayor's office."
Miller resigned his Utah House seat and pleaded guilty to one count of communications fraud in early October. His sentencing on the second-degree felony is now slated for Dec. 18. He faces a prison term of one to 15 years, though he cut a deal that could reduce that penalty if he pays restitution and stays out of any further trouble.
In a letter announcing his resignation from the Utah House, Miller said: "I understand the charges against me, and I take full responsibility for the mistakes I have made."
Miller ran McAdams' 2012 campaign for county mayor and served as his deputy chief of staff. In his campaign role, Miller used $24,000 in campaign money to pay his American Express card, which was supposed to cover a catering bill. But when the catering company refused to take his credit card, Miller cut another campaign check. He didn't repay the funds.
"As the victim of Justin's criminal actions, I'm grateful that he will answer for them with his guilty plea to a felony criminal charge," McAdams had said in a statement. "Justin stole money from me and the people who made donations to support my campaign. He betrayed the trust of a lot of people. It's important that he be held accountable for his wrongdoing."
McAdams fired Miller in October 2014 and called the police shortly thereafter.
Democrats in House District 40 elected Lynn Hemingway, who previously held that seat, to replace Miller.
McAdams' first term is up at the end of next year.
mcanham@sltrib.com
Justin Miller. Courtesy | Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office
