The Scott Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City is pictured on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
The Salt Lake City School Board member who prosecutors say tried to bribe his political opponent last year has agreed to resign as part of a plea agreement.
Mohamed Baayd, 49, won his election as the incumbent candidate for the district’s Precinct 5 in November 2024 — but that following December, he was charged with bribery in elections, a third-degree felony, stemming from accusations that he tried to get his opponent, Russell Askren, to drop out of the race in exchange for favors.
On July 22, Baayd agreed to a deal that included submitting his letter of resignation to the Salt Lake City School Board, effective no later than Aug. 5, according to a plea in abeyance agreement filed in 3rd District Court.
A plea in abeyance typically means an accused person will plead not guilty or no contest, and will be given conditions to adhere to in exchange for charges being dropped. Baayd’s agreement requires him to pay $1,000 within three months and remain “law-abiding” for six months — after that, the state will move to dismiss the charge.
Although Baayd was initially charged with a felony, his charges were amended this month to a class B misdemeanor as part of his plea agreement.
Baayd did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. In a text message in December after charges were filed, he declined to comment on the case but did tell Utah News Dispatch: “I’m an innocent man, and am entitled to the presumption of innocence under the constitution, and I look forward to my day in court and to continuing to serve the community to the best of my ability.”
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According to court documents, Baayd met with Askren, his opponent, in March 2024. During the meeting, “Baayd told Mr. Askren that he knew a councilmember position was going to open in two years and that he was planning to run and had a very good chance of winning. Baayd stated that it was important for him to remain in his current position and asked Mr. Askren to withdraw from the election and allow Baayd to be re-elected,” the charging documents read.
If Askren withdrew from the race, Baayd said for the next two years he would involve him “in the work of the board and make sure he got to know all of the members of the board and the district superintendent,” the court documents read. “Baayd explained that if he won the councilmember position, he would advocate for Mr. Askren and recommend to the board that they appoint him as a replacement. … Baayd further explained that Mr. Askren would complete the last two years of Baayd’s seat and then be able to run as incumbent in 2028.”
Baayd told Askren that he wanted an answer by the end of the week, according to court documents, but Askren declined and ultimately ran against Baayd. The two men were the only candidates on the ballot, and Baayd won with 64.2% of the vote compared to Askren’s 35.78%.