On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, KSL TV reported that Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz announced plans to explore impeachment proceedings against Third District Judge William Kendall, who faces serious criminal charges. If Kendall does not resign, lawmakers intend to initiate the impeachment process.

Judge Kendall, 54, was charged with forcible sexual abuse, distribution of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana along with drug paraphernalia. Prosecutors allege that on February 21, during a gathering at his Salt Lake County home, Kendall provided a “weed pen” to a woman and engaged in inappropriate physical contact with her multiple times without consent.

Currently, Kendall is on administrative leave from the court without pay. In an exclusive interview with KSL TV, Speaker Schultz expressed that the judge should have already stepped down from his position. “As a public official, you are held to a higher standard,” Schultz stated. He emphasized the House of Representatives’ constitutional duty to consider impeachment in such cases, indicating that this situation warrants serious attention.

Kendall’s defense attorney, Greg Skordas, acknowledged the House speaker’s viewpoint but asserted that they do not believe impeachment proceedings will be necessary. Skordas, who also serves as a legal analyst for KSL, expressed confidence in their defense strategy.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, Kendall had not resigned and remained on leave. Notably, no state official has ever been impeached in Utah’s history. The last significant attempt occurred in 2013 when the House investigated allegations against then-Attorney General John Swallow. Swallow ultimately resigned amid corruption charges but was later acquitted at trial.

Speaker Schultz remarked on the rarity of impeachment cases but underscored the ethical responsibility to address them seriously when they arise. He contrasted Kendall’s situation with that of former First District Judge Kevin Christensen, who resigned shortly after being charged with enticing minors for sex. Schultz stated, “That’s what’s best, I think, for the citizens of the state is that the judge just resigns. That’s our hope.”

Schultz indicated that if Kendall does not resign “within the near future,” he plans to initiate formal discussions regarding impeachment with House representatives. Impeachment would require a two-thirds majority vote from House members, followed by a similar threshold in the Senate for conviction.

Kendall, who was appointed as a judge in 2014 by then-Governor Gary Herbert, is scheduled to appear in court on May 12 regarding his criminal charges.

While he has not yet been convicted, Speaker Schultz noted that a conviction is not a prerequisite for the impeachment process. “All you have to do is lose the trust of the public for impeachment, and that’s certainly happened,” Schultz added. He affirmed that similar scrutiny would apply to any members of the House under similar circumstances.

 

 

Source: KSL TV