The Anti-Government Extremism Behind the Movement to Seize Public Lands

[L. Coyote]

3. Editorial: Utah ensures land-transfer lawyers win even if they lose

Editorial: Utah ensures land-transfer lawyers win even if they lose

If we think $14 million is reasonable for the cost of the federal lands-transfer lawsuit, why should we question a $69 lunch from one lawyer?

A watchdog group called the Campaign for Accountability has been looking at expense reports coming in to the state's Commission for the Stewardship of Public Lands, the panel of legislators overseeing the lawsuit.

And what they found is high-priced, out-of-state lawyers doing their thing: first-class flights and the finest hotels and restaurants, all apparently expensed to the state. One guy showed up at the Alta Club on Saturday for his Tuesday meeting, and his meals included the $69 lunch, $21 of which was the bar tab. Record keeping is unclear whether that bar tab included alcohol, which is not a reimbursable expense under Utah law. Here's betting he wasn't washing down his meal with Shirley Temples.

The lawyers could empty out the Grand America minibars every time they're in town, and it still wouldn't be the biggest waste in this endeavor. Their lavish expenses will never top even $1 million of that $14 million.

The state has already allocated the first $4.5 million, and at least $900,000 has already been spent. ...............