According to a five-month investigation conducted by attorney Kristin VanOrman of Strong & Hanni and obtained by KSL via an open records request, Davis County Commissioner John Crofts faces multiple allegations including creating a hostile work environment, LGBTQ discrimination, political favoritism, and defamation. The probe, which interviewed 26 current and former county employees, details a pattern of behavior that VanOrman described as crossing boundaries of acceptable conduct. Crofts, who began his four-year term as Commission chair in January 2025, denies the allegations and maintains the investigation found no criminal activity.

The pride flag dispute that sparked a library employee complaint

One of the most specific incidents cited in the VanOrman report involves a library employee who asked about cleanup after a town hall. According to the report, Crofts allegedly responded aggressively and berated the employee. The report also details Crofts' reported desire to remove an employee seen flying a pride flag, drawing sharp criticism from LGBTQ advocacy groups. The pride flag episode has become a flashpoint in the wider controversy, as it exemplifies what investigators call a broader pattern of hostility toward LGBTQ expression in county workplaces.

26 interviews and six areas of concern: What the VanOrman report found

Over the course of the five-month probe, VanOrman interviewed 26 individuals, including current and former county employees and former coworkers of Crofts. The resulting report outlines six distinct areas of concern: hostile work environment, political favoritism, religion in the workplace, LGBTQ discrimination, defamation, and fitness for duty. Many employees reported being yelled at, called liars, threatened with job loss due to political affiliation, and publicly attacked in meetings, according to the report. VanOrman emphasized that while no criminal activity was uncovered, many of the allegations could be actionable in civil court.

Crofts' defense: 'Zero criminal activiy' vs. actionable civil allegations

In an email to KSL, Crofts called the investigation frivolous and costly, stating that it found zero criminal activity and that he has been exonerated of any illegal doings. He expressed openness to dialogue and change, despite denying most of the specific allegations. VanOrman noted that Crofts demonstrated a willingness to change during their conversation, though the report still describes a pattern of behavior that undermines trust in county leadership. The distinction between criminal and civil liability is central to the case, as the report suggests employees may have grounds for lawsuits even if no charges are filed.

Why employee resignations became a central finding

The investigation found that resignations among county staff were partly influenced by interactions with Crofts, according to the report. This finding raises broader questions about workplace culture and the ability of local government to retain talent when an elected official is perceived as hostile. The pattern echoes similar controversies in other Utah counties where elected officials have faced accusations of creating toxic work environments that drive experienced staff to leave. As the Davis County commission has not publicly commented on the findings, calls for accountability from community members and employee groups are mounting .

What remains unknown: Who will act on the findings?

Key unanswered questions include whether the Davis County Commission will take disciplinary action against Crofts, what role the library employee who complained will play in any follow-up, and whether any of the actionable civil claims will proceed to court. The report is public, but the commission's silence leaves residents guessing about next steps. The case highlights ongoing tensions between elected officials and public employees, as the source article notes, and further details may emerge regarding potential policy changes within Davis County government.