The Salt Lake County Council voted on Tuesday to create a special committee to investigate the residency of embattled county recorder Gary Ott.
The committee, along with the district attorney’s office, may use power to subpoena documents and individuals in order to determine Ott’s primary residence. As an elected official of Salt Lake County, that’s where Ott must reside, says District Attorney Sim Gill.
"There has a lot of information swirling around that indicates that Mr. Ott has not been residing at his primary residence in Salt Lake County, that he has been residing at another place outside the county for a period of time."
That other place is the residence of Ott’s girlfriend and aide, Karmen Sanone, in Weber County.
Ott owns a home in Salt Lake City but reportedly hasn't made a loan payment in nearly a year.
Salt Lake County leaders have been looking for options to possibly remove Ott from office following reports of his declining health and mental capacity.
The council voted unanimously to create the special investigative committee.
Prior to the vote, council chair Steve DeBry said he cared about three things: Ott’s health and well-being, that the recorder’s office is functioning appropriately "as it should for the citizens of this county," said DeBry, "and lastly, the citizens of this county, they need closure to this almost ongoing soap opera saga. Those are the things on my mind."
Deputy recorder Julie Dole maintains that while Ott rarely appears at work, the office is running smoothly. Dole says she does not have firsthand knowledge of Ott’s primary residence.
The newly-formed council committee will begin meeting as early as next week to begin crafting subpoenas.
