After a year as Utah's interim attorney general, Sean Reyes (R) was sworn in as the state’s top law enforcement officer Monday morning at the Capitol.
Reyes, Utah’s 21st attorney general, was chosen to replace former Attorney General John Swallow, who resigned in November 2013 and is now facing charges including bribery and tampering with evidence. Swallow’s predecessor Mark Shurtleff is also facing charges.
Reyes said one of his priorities has been to repair the image of the Utah Attorney General’s Office, a goal that has been successful so far.
“How did we do it? By refocusing the office on being primarily a legal and not a political office,” he said. “I’ve kept my office team separate from my campaign team and we’ve been very strict about that. They don’t interact. Those types of things I think are important.”
The ceremony paid homage to Reyes’ cultural heritage, with Filipino and Hawaiian songs performed by Buddhist Taiko drummers along with guitarists including Reyes’ father.
