A former Utah councilwoman is calling for an investigation into claims that she made aggressive sexual advances to four women.
Following the drama that gripped Salt Lake municipal Council earlier this month, Democratic congressional candidate Eva Lopez Chavez spoke out, demanding that the claims be thoroughly examined when municipal officials suddenly withdrew their plans to begin an independent investigation.
Four women accused Lopez Chavez of predatory behavior, claiming that during the alleged encounters, she attempted to restrain them with force. “I welcomed an independent investigation because there is no wrongdoing and was prepared to have the facts examined openly and fairly,” Lopez Chavez said in a statement sent to The Salt Lake Tribune, denying their accusations. “More importantly, the public deserves the utmost transparency with matters of all their elected leaders.”
Days after Lopez Chavez lost her District 4 council seat due to a separate residency investigation that found she had not maintained a primary residence inside the district she represented, the dramatic public defense took place.
The once-promising Democrat is currently embroiled in two political scandals: one relates to claims that she engaged in predatory sexual behavior, while the other concerns claims that she is no longer a lawful resident of the district she served.
Eva Lopez Chavez, a former Salt Lake City councilwoman, says she wants accusations of sexual misconduct against her looked at in a “fair, transparent, and credible” manner.
Earlier this month, Lopez Chavez was dismissed from her position when it was discovered that she had ceased to reside in the area.
When four women from Utah’s political circles accused Lopez Chavez of acting inappropriately and violently during separate encounters that reportedly occurred prior to her joining the city council in 2023, the misbehavior claims first came to light in April.
Victoria Petro, a fellow Salt Lake City council member, was one of the accusers, claiming Lopez Chavez approached her and held her against a pillar at a wedding celebration.
Lopez Chavez allegedly stated, “The only reason I still f*** men is because a woman hasn’t shown me what I really want,” according to Petro, who told The Tribune.
“Would there be a question if it was assault or not if a man had done that to me?” Petro continued.
In 2022, Lopez Chavez was accused by Utah state lawmaker Jen Plumb of making an inappropriate sexual approach at a birthday celebration.
Plumb told the publication, “It was definitely a sexual approach.””You’re sure you’re straight?” she murmured in my ear as she leaned in, grabbed my ass, and got up in my face.
Maggie Regier, a former political assistant who uses the pronouns they/them, claimed that during a Human Rights Campaign fundraiser, Lopez Chavez grabbed them by the wrist and pinned them against a wall in a hallway until someone interfered.
State Senator Jen Plumb claimed, among other things, that Lopez Chavez pushed her up against a wall at a friend’s birthday celebration in November 2022. Lopez Chaves disputes her assertions
Hoang Nguyen, a state representative, claimed that after a campaign event, Lopez Chavez climbed on top of her when she was driving her back to her car. Lopez Chavez refutes her claims.
Victoria Petro, a fellow council member, claimed that Lopez Chavez shoved her up against a pillar and that she is only straight because “a woman hasn’t shown me what I really want.” Lopez Chaves disputes the allegations
Maggie Regier, a former political assistant, said she pressed them against a wall and was “flirty” all night. Lopez Chaves refutes the charge
“Eva made unwanted sexual advances on multiple occasions towards multiple women, and I hope she finds the courage to take accountability for her actions,” Regier later told the Daily Mail, “regardless of individual details of mine or anyone else’s experience, there is an established pattern of behavior that is not appropriate for elected officials.”
Hoang Nguyen, a state representative for Utah, claimed that after a campaign event, Lopez Chavez got on top of her inside a car and wouldn’t move until she kissed her. Nguyen told The Salt Lake Tribune, “I replied, “What are you doing?” and she said, “Kiss me.” Until you kiss me, I won’t leave you.”
Through lawyer Greg Skordas, Lopez Chavez has vehemently refuted all accusations, stating that she was “shocked” by them.
Additionally, he asserted that the former councilwoman had correspondence with each of the four accusers that was “entirely inconsistent with these untrue allegations.”
However, a second scandal erupted while the misconduct issue was already posing a threat to her political future.
Lopez Chavez was automatically removed from her seat under Utah law earlier this month after Salt Lake City Recorder Keith Reynolds determined that she has not been a resident of District 4 since at least December 2025.
Before Lopez Chavez joined the council in 2023, her victims said she harassed them in social situations.
Following accusations of sexual misconduct from four different women, Lopez Chavez was suspended from council duties. However, she has subsequently been removed for failing to maintain domicile within District 4 since at least December 2025, so immediately losing her position under Utah law.
A local citizen’s report raising concerns about Lopez Chavez’s continued residency in the district she represented set off the investigation.
Lopez Chavez reportedly have to move into the District 5 home she bought in September 2025 as her principal residence within 60 days of signing a financing deal.
Lopez Chavez then admitted to dividing her time between several places, including her parents’ house, friends’ homes, and her campaign manager’s house, according to city officials.
“By admission through your counsel, you failed to maintain a principal place of residence within District 4 since at least December 6, 2025,” Reynolds stated in a letter announcing the ruling.
Lopez Chavez was promptly removed from office as a result of the verdict, and there was a rush to find a replacement.
Lopez Chavez harshly criticized the Salt Lake City Council’s decision to forgo plans for an outside investigation into the misconduct allegations on Tuesday night, saying in a new statement that “investigating and concluding such serious assertions is necessary to keep the integrity of City Hall.”
Alejandro Puy, the chair of the council, defended the ruling by arguing that since Lopez Chavez is now a private citizen rather than an elected official, the council no longer had the authority to look into her.
The councilwoman’s residence was found to be outside the area she represents earlier this month, and City Recorder Keith Reynolds demanded that her vacant seat be replaced within 30 days.
Following the council’s unanimous decision to shelve preparations for an impartial investigation into the claims, Lopez Chavez denounced Salt Lake City officials.
Lopez Chavez maintained that she would carry on serving the community “with determination, humility, and purpose” in spite of the scandals that surrounded her.
Lopez Chavez made it clear that she had no plans to subtly withdraw from public life.
“I will continue to strongly dispute this interpretation and will pursue all available remedies to protect our city,” she declared in her statement on Thursday, accusing City Hall of operating amid “a history of inconsistencies, abuse, and political agendas.” She also vowed to contest the residency findings.
Additionally, she maintained that citizens, not political insiders, ought to choose District 4’s representative.
Lopez Chavez said, “Voters should elect their representatives, not allow for political appointments to happen at their expense.”
She maintained that she is still pleased with her record of public service.
“I will continue to serve this community with determination, humility, and purpose,” she stated. “I remain deeply grateful to the community members who stood by me during an incredibly difficult and politicized period.”
Lopez Chaves and the SLC Council have been contacted by The Daily Mail for comment.
