A businessman who was a key figure in the pay-to-play allegations against former Utah Attorneys General Mark Shurtleff and John Swallow has died.
Jason Lawson of Orem says his brother Tim Lawson died Sunday at a Provo hospital from an infection that developed from a hole in his esophagus. He was 51.
Lawson was accused of interfering with criminal cases by intimidating witnesses while working as a go-between for Shurtleff and a businessman facing fraud charges.
Lawson had pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing justice, witness retaliation and other crimes. A trial was set for April 2017.
His brother says he may have made some bad choices but was a good person.
Charges were dropped against Shurtleff after prosecutors said they didn't have key evidence. Swallow has pleaded not guilty to 13 charges of bribery and other crimes.