Court Document: Judge Don Torgerson Rules No Fees Will Be Awarded To Willie Grayeyes In Residency Challenge Suit

In late December 2018, San Juan County Commission candidate Kelly Laws sued his opponent in the commission race, Willie Grayeyes, claiming Grayeyes was not a resident of San Juan County. Laws lost the case, and Judge Don Torgerson ruled in January that Grayeyes is eligible to serve as commissioner.

On June 26, Torgerson ruled that Laws won’t have to pay over $250,000 in fees and costs that were requested by Grayeyes’ attorneys. Torgerson argued that Laws’ suit was not brought in bad faith and that his case had merit.

Torgerson’s January decision about Grayeyes’ residency and his June decision not to award fees are both being appealed to the Utah Supreme Court.

— Read the full ruling here.