Utah Supreme Court Justice Resigns After Investigation Into Alleged Romantic Scandal

A sitting state Supreme Court justice has abruptly stepped down, citing the toll of an explosive investigation that has nearly destroyed her personal life.

On May 8, 2026, Justice Diana Hagen stepped down from her position, delivering her resignation to Utah Governor Spencer Cox for immediate effect. Her departure follows a period of intense scrutiny.

Just weeks earlier, Governor Cox joined the state’s Senate president and House speaker in commissioning an independent inquiry into the claims that Diana traded unprofessional messages with a lawyer who appeared in her courtroom.

A Decorated Career, a Sudden Exit

Before this, Diana's career was stellar. Appointed to the Utah Supreme Court by Governor Cox in March 2022, she had previously spent nearly five years on the Utah Court of Appeals and nearly a decade as Appellate Chief and then First Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Additionally, she served as an instructor for appellate practice at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. She previously graduated from the same institution with a law degree in 1998.

Her resignation letter, obtained by multiple outlets, was direct about her reasoning. "For the last three decades, I have worked to earn a reputation for professionalism, fairness, and integrity," she wrote.

"Throughout my career as a prosecutor and over the last nine years on the bench, I have faithfully upheld my oath to the Constitution and the ethical obligations that govern our profession."

But the investigation, she made clear, changed everything. As a public official, she knew her life would be on display and that she would be held to a high moral standard. That was a sacrifice she had accepted and was willing to uphold because, in her words, her position was a privilege.

But the people around her shouldn't have to suffer. "My family and friends did not choose public life," she continued in the letter. "They do not deserve to have intensely personal details surrounding the painful dissolution of my thirty-year marriage subjected to public scrutiny."

The Complaint That Started It All

The personal details she mentioned originate from accusations found in a complaint submitted to the Utah Judicial Conduct Commission in late December 2025.

Michael Worley, an attorney practicing in Provo, explained that he learned scandalous information via a Facebook message from the justice's husband at the time, Tobin Hagen. Worley subsequently initiated a complaint, noting that his professional duties as a member of the bar compelled him to take action.

While Diana's former husband did not permit Michael to file the complaint, legal records indicate that he admitted the information was accurate.

So what did Tobin say?

The graphic designer and owner of Tobin Hagen Design Company claimed that his spouse sent and received text messages with David Reymann. He is a well-known lawyer in Salt Lake City who served as counsel for the plaintiffs in a case regarding redistricting that eventually went before the Utah Supreme Court.

Diana's former husband told the commission the messages started as "silly" and became "more suggestive."

The case at the center of the allegations, League of Women Voters of Utah v. Utah State Legislature, was one of the most consequential legal battles in Utah in years.

Diana authored the majority opinion in October 2024. This decision sustained a lower court's verdict that struck down Amendment D, a legislative proposal that sought to grant lawmakers the authority to reverse initiatives passed by voters.

That ruling came down just weeks after Diana and Tobin attended a gathering at David's home in early November 2024.

Who Is David Reymann?

As a partner at Parr Brown, David has secured the title of Lawyer of the Year in Utah from Best Lawyers on six occasions, specifically for his work in First Amendment law and litigation. His extensive career includes representing nearly every major media outlet in the state.

He also played a pivotal role in drafting Utah’s anti-SLAPP and reporter's shield statutes. For over 25 years, David has volunteered his time to staff the Utah Freedom of Information Hotline. Additionally, he serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Utah law school, the same institution where Diana once taught.

Not surprisingly, David denied the allegations, calling them "false." He also does outside legal work for KSL, the outlet that first broke the story, which disclosed the relationship and noted he had recused himself from the commission's review.

What the Investigation Uncovered

The Judicial Conduct Commission conducted a preliminary investigation and interviewed Tobin, but ultimately decided not to pursue the matter further. The commission's investigator noted that a full probe could have included interviewing David and his wife, the couple's two adult children, and issuing a subpoena for the text messages.

Instead, the investigator concluded there was "insufficient evidence" to proceed, adding that doing so "would be intrusive and potentially embarrassing for those involved."

That conclusion did not satisfy Utah's top officials. In April 2026, Governor Cox, Senate President Stuart Adams, and House Speaker Mike Schultz shared their unease regarding the results. Consequently, they declared their intention to launch a separate, independent inquiry into the matter.

"Allegations of this nature, especially involving public officials, must be examined with transparency and accountability," they said in a joint statement.

Diana's Account of the Timeline

In her own declaration to the commission, Diana said she was faithful to her husband for their entire marriage and had never engaged in extramarital relations before their separation. She explained that her initial request for a divorce occurred in September 2024, followed by the couple's official separation in April 2025.

According to Diana, she met with David in a public place in March 2025, describing it as the first time they had talked privately in many years. She noted, however, that she and her then-husband had socialized with the attorney at his home in November 2024 and again at a Salt Lake County Bar holiday party that same December.

She also told the commission that she voluntarily recused herself from all cases involving David in May 2025, after their friendship became closer. A separate recusal notice cited her renewed close friendships with both David and Cheylynn Hayman, another partner at Reymann's firm.

Cheylynn also leads the Judicial Conduct Commission, but a representative verified that she withdrew from the inquiry completely.

In a statement released after the initial report, Diana asserted that she never functioned under a conflict of interest while carrying out her roles as a judge. She further explained that she acted quickly and openly once she became aware of the claims, noting that she reported herself to the commission and provided a statement under oath.

The Weight of Walking Away

The governor's office confirmed the resignation is effective immediately and said the governor appreciates Diana's years of service. No replacement has been named at this time.

In her letter, Diana acknowledged that she would have preferred to stay. "I would love nothing more than to continue serving the people of Utah as a Supreme Court Justice," she wrote, "but I cannot do so without sacrificing the privacy and well-being of those I care about and the effective functioning and independence of Utah's judiciary."

The investigation that prompted her exit never reached a formal conclusion. Now, with her departure, it likely never will.