The president of the Utah Senate, J. Stuart Adams (R), is embroiled in controversy after he put in motion legislation that ultimately became law and that appeared to benefit a member of his family. Though Adams has denied wrongdoing, some Republican allies have expressed misgivings about the origins of the law and the appearance of impropriety, while others are staunchly defending Adams and the new policy.
The case
In February 2024, Adams and 19 of his state Senate colleagues voted to pass S.B. 213, which made some criminal justice modifications. A few weeks later, Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed it into law.
Within six months, that law was mentioned in the sentencing hearing for a criminal defendant who was later identified as Adams’ step-granddaughter. The details of her
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