Utah State Auditor Tina Cannon is refusing to retract statements regarding Senate President Stuart Adams, according to a report published August 24. The refusal comes in response to cease-and-desist letters sent by Adams through his attorney demanding retractions for statements he characterized as defamatory.
Adams issued the letters, which were dated August 21, to Cannon and three other individuals, including podcast hosts Uriah Kennedy and Ingrid Bettridge. Cannon's attorney stated that the demands appeared to be a media stunt rather than a legitimate legal attempt to resolve a dispute. The attorney suggested the letters seemed intended to act as a press release to reach an audience through the media.
Cannon's attorney argued that the statements made on a podcast are legally protected because they address public policy and official duties. If Adams pursues legal action, Cannon's legal counsel indicated they would move to dismiss the claims under Utah's Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, which is the state's anti-SLAPP law protecting speech on matters of public concern.
The conflict between Cannon and Adams stems from a long-standing dispute regarding the relocation of the auditor's office. In 2024, lawmakers approved legislation to move the state auditor from second-floor Capitol offices. While the original bill required the auditor to receive substantially similar space, an eleventh-hour change in the 2025 legislative session stripped that requirement and moved the office elsewhere in the Capitol Hill complex.
Additional points of contention include Cannon's claims regarding Adams' influence over the Capitol Preservation Board and his involvement with legislation following a legal matter involving his step-granddaughter. Adams' attorney countered that the board is a 12-person body not controlled by any single individual.
The dispute follows Adams' recent primary loss to Stephanie Hollist in June. While Adams has threatened legal action, Cannon's attorney maintained that any damages Adams claims to have suffered are the result of his own actions.
