As 3rd District candidate John Harmer was explaining his finances Monday morning, his GOP opponent Karl Snow was saying that "anonymous" complaints about his finances "are laughable, completely without basis."
Late Friday evening, Harmer dropped off at Snow's campaign headquarters a packet that Harmer says shows Snow's financial misdeeds. Snow refused to meet with Harmer at Republican headquarters to talk about those charges but did issue a news release and talk to the press.Here are the complaints:
- Snow was involved in a partnership, Mountainland Distributors, whose goal was to import Chinese tires to the United States. Snow said he soon became concerned about the management capabilities of the firm. Before trouble arose, Snow bought an indemnity from suit from the partnership and left the firm. When the firm did declare bankruptcy, Snow was actually a plaintiff, not a defendent, in the suit.
"I won a judgment, was vindicated in court. Not only did I do nothing wrong, I did everything legally right. I was not in bankruptcy. I was a plaintiff."
- Snow at one time did some contract work for Michael Strand, a man with a long history of legal troubles. Strand has been convicted of improper income tax filing and mail fraud. A large suit charging stock manipulation is pending in court against Strand, who is now serving a four-month sentence for possession of firearms - something a convicted felon can't have.
Several years ago, Strand was involved in a penny stock company called Global Oil. Anonymous mailings to the Deseret News claim Snow held 100,000 shares of Global Oil and was involved in the sale of Global Oil to Unique Battery, another penny stock company.
"I never attended any board meeting of Global Oil. I never accepted any stock in that company, although it was offered. I haven't seen Michael Strand in four years and have had nothing to do with his companies," said Snow.
A search of court documents shows Snow hasn't been named as a defendant in lawsuits now pending concerning Global Oil or Unique Batteries.
"I've never tried to manipulate penny stocks. I wouldn't know how, even if I wanted to, and I don't. Yes, the Strand family has contributed to my campaigns. I've known Strand's wife and father-in-law for years. But just because someone gives to a political campaign doesn't mean you're responsible for their private business dealings."
Snow is president of Utah Technology Finance Corp., a corporation set up by the state to encourage high-tech development in Utah. "UTFC has never had anything to do with Strand. Goodness, Strand has never had anything to do with high-tech companies."
UTFC directors, of which Snow is one, serve for free. However, board members are paid as consultants for specific UTFC work above and beyond regular board work. Snow was paid $5,000 last year by UTFC for representing the board at various gatherings - all with the approval of the board. "There is absolutely no conflict of interest here. It is all above board and reported on my financial statement with the (U.S.) House," said Snow.
"I owe no debts. I have no judgments against me. My credit rating - as letters from by bankers show - is outstanding. I never brought up Mr. Harmer's financial problems. They are a matter of public record. Enough is enough is enough is enough. Let's get on with this campaign and talk about issues, not someone's financial dealings."
Snow said he would turn over the packet delivered by Harmer to four Provo attorneys who have volunteered to do an independent review of the candidates' finances.