SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Attorney General's Office has concluded its investigation into an Ogden civic group's fundraising activities and have decided against filing any criminal charges.
Envision Ogden was facing allegations of fraud and money laundering stemming from a 2007 banquet dinner in which $20,000 was raised to promote outdoor recreation. It was later alleged that the money was instead funneled to politicians through another organization.
Records showed that Envision Ogden transferred the money to an anonymous group, Friends of Northern Utah Real Estate, which then split it between Blain Johnson, who has left the council, and failed candidate Royal Eccles.
The Utah Attorney General's Office determined in 2009 that the activity didn't amount to fraud, but reopened the case again in November 2010 to give it a closer look. The office announced Friday the case has been closed and no criminal charges will be filed.
"We did not find sufficient evidence of fraud or criminal intent on the part of Envision Ogden or its principal members to justify bringing felony charges for communications fraud or money laundering," Scott Reed, who heads up the Criminal Justice Division of the Attorney General's Office, said.
Envision Ogden's actions have also been reviewed by Weber County and Ogden officials, and no actions have resulted from any of those complaints, according to the Utah Attorney General's Office.