Former Utah official gets 5-year probation for Mormon posing

A former Utah County commissioner has been sentenced to five years of probation, including paying $162,606 in restitution, for his role in a scam that involved him and another businessman posing as Mormon officials.

Prosecutors accuse the men of posing as officials to fool companies into investing in an industrial park and rail line.

Gary Jay Anderson, who was sentenced on Friday, previously pleaded guilty to one count of communications fraud, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Three other charges – all second-degree felonies – were dismissed as part of the deal.

If he is unable to pay off the restitution in five years, his court-supervised probation will be extended.

Anderson, an attorney, voluntarily surrendered his law license as part of the plea deal.