From: Joe Puente <joe@joepuente.com>
Subject: UPDATE: Re: Request... [GOED] Performance Audit / Fwd: Courtesy Copy...
Date: July 10, 2026 at 1:13:29 PM MDT
To: [Rep. Romero]
Cc: [Sen. Plumb],[Counsel for the Petitioner]
Dear Representative Romero and Senator Plumb,
In my previous correspondence, on June 22, 2026, I stated that:
“...as the Petitioner, I am not presently involved in any litigation on this matter… I would also ask that the Legislative Auditor General’s office be informed that this request arises in a context where administrative and oversight channels are already active and not in parallel with any court case at this time.”
As of July 7, 2026, all oversight and administrative options at my disposal have been exhausted. On July 8, 2026, a Petition for Judicial Review of the Government Records Office Director’s Decision and Order regarding Appeal Req. #2026-058 was filed on my behalf by legal counsel with the Third Judicial District - Salt Lake County District Court, docketed as case #260905225 and assigned to Judge Laura Scott.
The focus of the petition remains on the release of the records sought in my original February 9, 2026, GRAMA Request. However, throughout my interactions with GOED, in addition to their complete disregard for their clear instructions in S.B. 2, §1(1)(a), it.22, other statutory violations by GOED and its staff have come to light and are noted in our petition under our Statement of Facts. These include violations of Utah Code § 52-4 (the Open and Public Meetings Act), Utah Code § 63G-24-301 (the Board Vacancies and Conflicts Act, Board Member Disclosure Requirements), and Utah Code § 67-16 (the Public Officers’ and Employees’ Ethics Act).
With that, I wish to renew my request for the sponsorship of a performance audit of the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) through the Legislative Audit Subcommittee.
Respectfully,
Joseph L. Puente