Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, who lost his Republican primary in June, sent cease-and-desist letters this week demanding retractions from four people: State Auditor Tina Cannon, a political consultant and the hosts of a far-right podcast.
The letters target statements made about four separate controversies: Adams' granddaughter's 2023 criminal case, the Stratos data center project in Box Elder County, alleged campaign finance violations, and a dispute with State Auditor Tina Cannon over office space in the Utah Capitol. The letters describe the statements as false and indicate Adams may pursue legal action if they are not retracted.
Would Adams actually have a case if he followed through?
The answer is more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no." Some of the claims made about Adams do contain real factual errors. But Utah's expanded anti-SLAPP law—which Adams himself voted for in 2023—sets a high bar for proving defamation, especially for a high-ranking public official. To win, Adams would need to show "actual malice," and if he can't clear that bar early in the case, he could end up paying the other side's legal fees.
We break down all four controversies, what's true, what's not, and how a defamation case against each one would likely play out under Utah law.
This analysis is based on the cease-and-desist letters, Utah statute, and public records. It does not constitute legal advice.
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