NEPHI, Utah (AP) - The GOP State Central Committee has voted against formally addressing claims of ethical misconduct against Utah Attorney General John Swallow.

While state GOP Chairman Thomas Wright reaffirmed his call for ethics reform at the meeting Saturday in Nephi, he said Swallow is entitled to a presumption of innocence as a federal investigation continues into the allegations.

Some Utah Republicans criticized the committee's lack of action, saying it sends the wrong message to voters.

Swallow, a Republican, has been accused of orchestrating a plan to quash a federal investigation by bribing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Both he and Reid have denied the allegations.

Jeremy Johnson, a Utah businessman charged with Internet fraud, has said Swallow was part of a failed effort to derail the investigation into his business practices.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.