Utah Governor Spencer Cox, House Speaker Mike Schultz, and Senate President Stuart Adams announced a joint plan for an independent investigation into allegations that Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen engaged in an affair with an attorney.
Investigation into misconduct allegations
The announcement follows the release of previously investigated and dismissed allegations that Hagen had a relationship with David Reymann, an attorney involved in high-profile redistricting litigation. While the Judicial Conduct Commission (JCC) had already voted to dismiss the complaint after finding insufficient evidence of misconduct, state leaders said the reports raise serious questions. In a joint statement, Cox, Schultz, and Adams said the allegations must be examined with transparency to maintain public confidence.
Dispute over confidential record release
A dispute has emerged regarding whether the Utah House of Representatives violated state law by releasing the confidential JCC records to news outlets. The Utah Supreme Court issued a statement saying the documents were "inappropriately released to the public," noting that Utah law protects the confidentiality of JCC proceedings. However, House Speaker Mike Schultz responded that his office "followed the statute in releasing these records."
Uncertainty surrounding document acquisition methods
Questions remain regarding how the Utah House obtained the confidential documents. Senator Brady Brammer noted that he uses his legislative email for JCC matters and had emailed House members about his concerns regarding the allegations. The Judicial Conduct Commission's executive director, Alex Peterson, told the Salt Lake Tribune that the commission was not consulted prior to the release and maintains that the records remain protected.
Governor calls for independent process
Governor Cox stated during a news conference that while it is unclear what the new investigation will entail, an independent process is necessary to avoid the appearance of a "witch hunt." The governor noted that tension between the legislative and judicial branches is currently "immense" and emphasized that judges are held to a higher standard.
