Davis County commissioner stays in office after probe found a hostile workplace for staff
An independent investigation by attorney Kristin VanOrman of the law firm Strong & Hanni, begun in November 2025 at the request of Davis County human resources and legal advisers, interviewed 26 people about Commissioner John Crofts, who took office in January 2025. Its March 25, 2026 summary said nearly every witness described a hostile work environment, including being yelled at, having jobs threatened over political affiliation and being publicly accused of misconduct; it also cited political favoritism, questions about religion, LGBTQ discrimination and potentially defamatory remarks about other officials. On July 7, 2026, Commissioners Lorene Kamalu and Bob Stevenson censured Crofts, removed him as chair and barred him from supervising county employees. Crofts called the probe "a political hatchet job" and said it cleared him of illegal conduct. He remains a commissioner.
Nearly every witness that I interviewed experienced what they termed a hostile work environment. This includes being yelled at, being told they are a liar to their face, having their job threatened due to their political affiliation
Along with facing a formal vote of censure, Crofts, a first-term Republican on the three-member commission, was also removed from his post as chair and from any supervisor duties over county employees.
VanOrman said the investigation began in November 2025 and spanned a five-month period of time. It included 26 individuals, both current and former employees of the county
Called the investigation "a political hatchet job" and said it exonerated him of any illegal doings.
No outcome recorded yet.