Utah State Legislature
Senate • Utah State Capitol Complex • 320 State Capitol
PO BOX 145115 • Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5115
(801) 538-1035 • fax (801) 538-1414
House of Representatives • Utah State Capitol Complex • 350 State Capitol
PO BOX 145030 • Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5030
http://le.utah.gov (801) 538-1029 • fax (801) 538-1908
November 13, 2023
President Stuart Adams | Majority Leader Schultz
Members of the Audit Subcommittee
Suite 315 Lockhart House Building
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-3515
Audit Request: A Performance Audit of the Oversight of the Utah Attorney General’s (AG’s) Office
Dear Members of the Audit Subcommittee,
We have been concerned about the governance and oversight of the AG’s Office, well before
any allegations came to light raising suspicion into the relationship of the AG with Tim Ballard
(Ballard), Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), and the production of the Sound of Freedom
(SOF) movie. Given the important role that the AG plays in upholding the constitutions of the
United States and the State of Utah, enforcing the law, and protecting the interests of the State
of Utah and its people, environment, and resources we believe that a Legislative Audit is
warranted.
Specifically, we would like our auditors to evaluate:
1. The governance of the AG’s Office and determine the sufficiency and adequacy of how
legal and administrative decisions are presented, deliberated, approved, and
documented.
2. The travel policies and practices of the AG’s Office and determine if travel is appropriate
and documented in accordance with policies and rules.
3. The culture of the AG’s Office and whether staff, and those directly served by the AG’s
office, believe that the office is run efficiently and effectively.
4. The extent to which any relationship AG has with Ballard, OUR or SOF (i) involved
utilization of state resources; (ii) involved engagement by the AG with outside
prosecutors; or (iii) impaired the impartial judgment or prosecutorial discretion of the
AG.
While we ask that the specific concerns laid out in this letter be addressed, we would also like
our auditors to follow-up on any areas they determine necessary in the scope of their work.
Thank you for considering our request.
Sincerely,
Representative Ken Ivory Senator Mike McKell
House District 39 Senate District 25
Representative Mike Petersen Senator John Johnson
House District 2 Senate District 3
Representative Katy Hall Senator Todd Wieler
House District 11 Senate District 8
Representative Karianne Lisonbee Senator Jen Plumb
House District 14 Senate District 9
Representative Brian King Senator Luz Escamilla
House District 23 Senate District 10
Representative Tim Jimenez Senator Stephanie Pitcher
House District 28 Senate District 14
Representative Judy Weeks Rohner Senator Kathleen Riebe
House District 30 Senate District 15
Representative Andrew Stoddard Senator Dan McCay
House District 40 Senate District 18
Representative Kay Christofferson Senator Mike Kennedy
House District 53 Senate District 21
Representative Keven Stratton Senator Keith Grover
House District 58 Senate District 23
Representative Mike Kohler Senator Curtis Bramble
House District 59 Senate District 24
Representative Carl Albrecht
House District 70
Representative Rex Shipp
House District 71
Representative Joseph Elison
House District 72
Representative Walt Brooks
House District 75
