U.S. Chamber of Commerce Taking “Judge Shopping” To New Extremes
Watchdog: Yet Again, U.S. Chamber Went Judge Shopping in Conservative 5th Circuit Territory to Keep Workers From Getting a Raise
Justice Kavanaugh Past Comments Reveal Contradictions on Presidential Immunity
Watchdog: New FTC Rule Would Boost Earnings for Millions of Americans Despite Industry Objections
Analysis: Senate Republicans Took Big Checks From Big Banks Weeks Before Co-Sponsoring Resolution to Protect $41 Credit Card Late Fees
Site Menu

Utah State Auditor John Dougall appears never to have investigated the Foundation for Integrated Resource Management (FIRM) over apparently pocking $400,000 in tax dollars — money it received for work that FIRM never did.  

An investigation by non-partisan watchdog Accountable.US showed Dougall is not only close to FIRM’s founder Stan Summers, as shown in social media posts, but shares the Utah think tank’s extreme views about public land management.  FIRM was originally contracted by the state to file a lawsuit against protections for lands held sacred by indigenous groups near Bears Ears, Utah. 

“

It’s not hard to imagine why FIRM was able to pocket this money without ever doing the work they said they would do. Mr. Dougall and Mr. Summers should come clean about this dirty deal and explain why the money was never returned to Utah taxpayers.”

Jordan Schreiber, Director of the Energy and Environment Program at Accountable.US

Documents obtained by Accountable.US through an open records request additionally show the auditor’s own team even recommended that the group return $500,000 in appropriations to the state.  

back to top