NewsCBS News PoliticsApril 17, 2026United States
White House monitoring ethics allegations involving Utah Supreme Court Justice
White House officials are tracking allegations of an undisclosed relationship between Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen and attorney David Reymann, who represented plaintiffs in a major gerrymandering case. Utah Republican leaders have announced an independent investigation into the matter, which could potentially impact the state's current congressional district map.
Read the full story at CBS News PoliticsWhy It Matters
The outcome of this investigation could determine whether the current Utah congressional map—which includes a Democratic-leaning district—remains in place or is challenged, directly affecting the political composition of the state's U.S. House delegation.
Key Facts
- Utah Republican legislative leaders announced an independent investigation into an alleged relationship between Justice Diana Hagen and attorney David Reymann.
- Justice Hagen wrote the unanimous 2024 ruling that found GOP lawmakers overstepped by changing Proposition 4, which prohibited gerrymandering.
- The current Utah congressional map, ordered by a district court, consists of three GOP-leaning districts and one Democratic-majority district.
- A complaint filed in December 2025 alleged an inappropriate relationship between Hagen and Reymann, citing text messages.
- The Judicial Conduct Commission conducted a preliminary investigation and opted not to pursue the matter further.
- Justice Hagen stated she was faithful during her 30-year marriage and only renewed a friendship with Reymann after separating from her husband in April 2025.
- Hagen updated her recusal list to include Reymann in May 2025.
- The Utah Supreme Court upheld the current congressional map in February 2026.
- U.S. Representative Burgess Owens announced he would not seek reelection following an unsuccessful lawsuit to overturn the map.
Who's Mentioned
personJ. Stuart Adams“Utah Senate President.”personDiana Hagen“Utah Supreme Court Justice involved in ethics allegations regarding a relationsh”personBurgess Owens“U.S. Representative who announced he would not seek reelection.”personDavid Reymann“Attorney for Parr Brown who represented the League of Women Voters of Utah in a ”personSpencer Cox“Governor of Utah.”personDonald Trump“President of the United States; administration is monitoring the situation.”organizationJudicial Conduct Commission“State body that conducted a preliminary investigation into the ethics complaint.”personMike Schultz“Utah House Speaker.”organizationLeague of Women Voters of Utah“Plaintiff in the gerrymandering case.”