Wimmer had back of accused

Contents

The Utah man indicted Tuesday on federal fraud and tax-evasion charges was protected by key conservative state legislators who put pressure on state investigators to back off their own investigations and called for an audit of the State Securities Division when it investigated the man.

Rick Koerber of Alpine was charged in the federal indictment of operating an illegal Ponzi scheme that gathered in more than $100 million from investors.

Conservative Rep. Karl Wimmer, R-Herriman, was a champion and good friend of Koerber and pressured the state to back off its own investigations, according to an e-mail Koerber sent to conservative activists through his Free Capitalist Project Web site. The e-mail asked for support for Wimmer's re-election bid in 2008 and offered anyone who would help pass out Wimmer campaign fliers a free lunch at the local Iceberg.

"Karl was elected two years ago, went to Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City and started advocating based upon PRINCIPLES not ISSUES," said Koerber's e-mail. "He stood up for important crime legislation, protection of children, and smaller government. MOST IMPORTANT to the Free Capitalist Project Carl PERSONALLY stood up against the corrupt Utah Department of Commerce. "

Wimmer, who just launched the Patrick Henry Caucus, which is dedicated to standing up for states' rights, and Rep. Jim Bird, R-West Jordan, requested the audit of the Securities Division, which was looking into Koerber's operations.

Read full story...