Salt Lake City knew about allegations against councilwoman, but what was done?

SALT LAKE CITY — Members of the Salt Lake City Council say they're "actively reviewing the information" tied to allegations of misconduct against Salt Lake City Councilwoman Eva Lopez Chavez.

However, an internal memo from Feb. 12 shows Salt Lake City leaders were aware of allegations well before reports surfaced this week. The author of that memo, Salt Lake City Council Chairman Alejandro Puy, says the city was and remains limited in any type of action it can take, because there are few options in situations like the one it finds itself in.

The Salt Lake City Council can censure members, stripping away certain leadership roles or travel privileges, and it can ask for them to resign, but that's about it, since elected officials are — as he puts it — hired by constituents and not the council. Even if it had the power to do more, he said many don't feel like they have the expertise to rule on potential ethical and criminal investigations because they are part-time employees with expertise in other fields.

"The reality of this is that so many people knew ... but it fell in like this void in between the systems, where there's not really a clear path," he told KSL. "At some point, I was like, 'We've got to put in the effort to figure this out because there has to be a way at least to review recommendations on how to handle something like this,' because the liability is too big."

KSL spoke with five women who said they were harassed, assaulted, or made uncomfortable by comments or actions of Lopez. Lopez, through an attorney, has denied any wrongdoing. In addition to serving on the City Council, she is one of a handful of candidates vying for the Democratic nomination in Utah's 1st Congressional District.

In a statement posted on her campaign's social media accounts Thursday, Lopez said that she plans to continue her role with the city and that she welcomes a "fair and independent investigation" into the allegations.

"I will participate fully in any appropriate review," she wrote, in part. "At the same time, I want to be clear that I deny wrongdoing and will defend myself through the proper process. ... I am sorry for the uncertainty and concern this situation may cause, and I believe it is important that it be handled with care, respect and integrity."

Reviewing conduct policy

Puy wrote in February that "the reports and firsthand accounts of Councilmember Eva Lopez Chavez's past behavior cannot be dismissed or minimized." The email was toward the end of an investigation into a "grievance" that the City Council had been made aware of.

The council confirms there have been no formal complaints filed against Lopez since she was sworn in two years ago, which partly complicates any response to allegations. However, the city was alerted to a grievance raised by a city employee about Lopez toward the end of 2025 that preceded the email, Puy said.

The employee ultimately declined to file a formal complaint with human resources, and Puy declined to discuss the incident with KSL, citing employee confidentiality.

Regardless, the city instituted a new policy this year prohibiting City Council members from holding one-on-one meetings with city employees, three city sources confirmed. Puy's Feb. 12 email instructed a review of the City Council's conduct rules, which is still ongoing.

Related:

Several women accuse Utah congressional candidate Eva Lopez Chavez of misconduct

Some who have worked alongside Utah congressional candidate Eva Lopez Chavez say they have been harassed or assaulted by her. Lopez denies any wrongdoing.

The City Council will seek more ways to prevent future issues from any of its members, current or future, since it has few options to respond to allegations, he told KSL on Thursday. Changes may include stricter rules and instituting some type of investigator, consultant or attorney to help with investigations that aren't forwarded to law enforcement, which can help the City Council abide by those rules.

These might be recommended and implemented after the City Council passes a new budget, which it must do before the end of June.

Lopez said she will continue to focus on the budget and other "pressing moments" facing the city, while any investigation continues.

"This is a moment for facts, due process and accountability," she added. "I am confident that a full and impartial examination will bring clarity, and I believe the truth will prevail."

Others react to allegations

Democratic members of the Utah Legislature said they support their colleagues and others who came forward about allegations of misconduct against Lopez. Rep. Hoang Nguyen, D-Salt Lake City, told KSL that she felt assaulted by Lopez after an event in the summer of 2022.

"We stand in support of our colleagues who have bravely shared their stories. We recognize the seriousness of these allegations and the courage it takes to come forward, especially when the person involved is an elected official," the Utah Senate and House Democrats said in a statement. "Allegations of this nature must be met with care and a commitment to due process. At the same time, we cannot accept a culture where those who speak out are dismissed or doubted."

Sen. Nate Blouin, D-Millcreek, one of Lopez's congressional opponents, called the allegations "disturbing."

"We must start by believing survivors, and anyone who comes forward deserves to be taken seriously and supported," he said in a statement.

It comes a week after Blouin was criticized for past online posts he made to various forums, which contained offensive posts on internet forums denigrating The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and making crude jokes about women and sexual assault. Lopez was among the candidates who spoke out against his comments.

Meanwhile, the City Council issued a statement saying that it "takes these allegations very seriously" as it investigates the claims. Salt Lake City Councilwoman Victoria Petro also spoke to KSL about an incident with Lopez she said occurred in 2022.

Both the city and Democratic legislators encouraged anyone who has experienced harassment or assault to contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE or by texting HOPE to 64673. People can also call the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault's 24-hour helpline at 801-736-4356 (for English) or 801-924-0860 (for Spanish).

"We have a responsibility to uphold a safe, respectful, and accountable environment, and we stand unequivocally against all forms of harassment and misconduct," the City Council wrote in its statement. "As additional information becomes available, the council will take all actions within our authority that are necessary to uphold our standards, ensure a professional and harassment-free workplace, and maintain public trust."

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