On Friday, April 17, 2026, KUTV reported that Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen is under scrutiny following allegations of a potential conflict of interest stemming from a major redistricting case. The allegations revolve around a purported relationship with an attorney involved in the case’s litigation.
An ethics complaint, obtained by CBS News, has brought to light concerns regarding a possible connection between Justice Hagen and the lead counsel for the League of Women Voters, raising questions about whether this relationship may have impacted the case’s outcome.
According to the Utah Supreme Court, Justice Hagen last participated in matters concerning the case in October 2024, before recusing herself in May 2025 from all cases involving the attorney in question. The Utah Judicial Conduct Commission investigated the complaint but ultimately dismissed it. Nevertheless, the case continues to garner considerable political attention.
Nic Dunn, appearing on KUTV’s Take 2 podcast, characterized the issue as potentially one of the most significant cases to come before the Utah Supreme Court in recent years.
Utah’s state leadership, including Governor Spencer Cox, Senate President Stuart Adams, and House Speaker Mike Schultz, jointly advocated for an independent review, citing the serious nature of the allegations and signaling their support for further examination.
Democratic leaders have expressed reservations about a new legislative probe, voicing their trust in the Judicial Conduct Commission’s handling of the matter and cautioning against actions that could blur the lines of separation of powers.
Maura Carabello, also a guest on KUTV’s Take 2, indicated that the House is prepared to conduct its own investigation.
Source: KUTV
