Audit calls for more transparency in how Salt Lake County DA makes decisions

SALT LAKE CITY — A new audit involving the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office found inconsistencies in the screening and filing of criminal cases, and a lack of documentation to analyze plea deals.

On Tuesday, the Office of the Legislative Auditor General released its findings of an audit of District Attorney Sim Gill’s office. Auditors say they were asked to “evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness” of the district attorney’s office.

According to the audit, the district attorney’s office lacks adequate policies for its screening and filing processes. And despite the recently released “informal written guidance, this has been poorly communicated and implemented.”

While the audit acknowledges that Salt Lake County has a heavier workload than other jurisdictions, and 77% of cases