Top Republican leaders in Utah have announced a new independent investigation into allegations involving Diana Hagen, following concerns that an earlier review did not fully resolve key questions. The effort is being led by Spencer Cox, along with legislative leaders Stuart Adams and Mike Schultz.
The allegations center on claims that Justice Hagen had an improper relationship with attorney David Reymann, who argued before the court in a significant redistricting case. The complaint was initially submitted to Matthew Durrant and the Utah Judicial Conduct Commission. According to reports, the claims originated from statements attributed to Hagen’s ex-husband, who alleged the existence of inappropriate communications.
Justice Hagen has firmly denied the allegations, and Reymann has also rejected them as false. The Judicial Conduct Commission conducted a preliminary review, including interviews, but ultimately chose not to proceed with a full investigation. That decision prompted state leaders to pursue a separate, independent inquiry to more thoroughly examine the claims.
The controversy is tied in part to a high-profile legal dispute, League of Women Voters of Utah v. Utah State Legislature, which addressed congressional maps and the limits of legislative authority. The Utah Supreme Court previously ruled that lawmakers had overstepped in altering a voter-approved anti-gerrymandering initiative, making the case a focal point in the state’s legal and political landscape.
Officials have emphasized that the new investigation is intended to ensure transparency and maintain public trust in the judiciary. They stated that allegations involving public officials require careful and objective review, regardless of prior findings. The outcome of the inquiry could have broader implications for confidence in state institutions and the handling of judicial ethics concerns.