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Utah AG won’t file criminal charges in DABC scandal

Posted at 1:59 PM, Dec 07, 2012
and last updated 2012-12-07 15:59:29-05

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Attorney General’s Office announced it will not file criminal charges in connection with the scandals that have plagued Utah’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

“The AG’s office will not press criminal charges against any current or former DABC employees,” the office said in a statement on Friday.

The decision follows a criminal investigation that tailed a series of audits of the DABC, including some that alleged criminal wrongdoing because of financial problems within the agency that sells and controls alcohol in Utah.

The Utah Attorney General’s Office said its investigation focused on misuse of public monies, and if someone improperly benefited.

“While the degree and magnitude of disregard for standard accounting procedures or best business practices was egregious and appalling, there is insufficient basis to conclude that any employees of DABC intentionally caused or received personal gain for any person.” said Chief Deputy Attorney General Kirk Torgensen in a statement Friday. “Sloppy bookkeeping and lax procurement procedures are certainly contrary to the public interest, but are not crimes in this case.”