Why I’m standing with Shawn Robinson for District Attorney

By Meghan Mills, attorney and Former Salt Lake County Prosecutor

Since 2008, I have dedicated my career to seeking justice in the State of Utah, nearly 15 of those years in Salt Lake County. However, my time at the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office ended when I could no longer remain silent about the corruption I witnessed. Corruption that went all the way to the top.

In 2024, after over 6 months of trying to get leadership to do something, I came forward as a whistleblower because I witnessed a gross breach of legal ethics: an undisclosed, inappropriate relationship between a lead prosecutor and a key police detective that cost an innocent 14-year-old child 18 months of his freedom.

Being an experienced juvenile prosecutor, I knew the charges and the way they were filed was not supported by the evidence, and I knew the lead prosecutor filed it that way because of her relationship with the detective. Despite my repeated reports to leadership about the prosecutorial misconduct in the case, and evidence that the courts would later find conclusive of an inappropriate relationship, the current administration took no action. Sim Gill took no action. They chose her reputation over an innocent child’s freedom.

As a result, I watched as that young boy and his mother were tricked into a plea deal to a crime the boy did not commit in order to avoid possible transfer to the adult system.

It was only after I resigned, and after Nathan Evershed tirelessly fought for this innocent boy, that the entirety of the Salt Lake DA’s office was disqualified and removed from the case. At that point, a special prosecutor was assigned and finally someone with neutral eyes reviewed the evidence and dismissed the charges with prejudice. That young boy was finally free, but the misconduct of the current administration left him locked up for the majority of 18 months.

Justice failed in that case because the current administration prioritized politics and protectionism over the truth. The TRUTH meant nothing to Sim Gill. That should terrify every citizen in this county.

That is why I am writing to you today to endorse Shawn Robinson for Salt Lake County District Attorney.

I know what it looks like when an office loses its moral compass. I also know what it takes to fix it. We need a District Attorney who understands that the "win" is never more important than the process. We need a leader who treats everyone with dignity. Someone with a track record of treating victims with respect and decency, with the unwavering commitment to respecting and protecting the rights of others, including defendants. A prosecutor is a minister of justice. A prosecutor’s duty is first and foremost to the truth. I am confident that Shawn Robinson will uphold that duty with fidelity.

I am supporting Shawn because:

He is a Veteran Trial Lawyer: With over 30 years of experience as a public defender, city prosecutor, and Assistant Attorney General, Shawn has the "boots-on-the-ground" expertise that the current administration lacks. He knows how the courtroom works and how to mentor young attorneys to do things the right way.
He will End the Culture of Secrecy: Shawn has committed to a policy of transparency. He believes that charging decisions should be explained clearly to victims and the public, and that ethical breaches should be met with accountability, not cover-ups.
He is a Reformer: Like me, Shawn understands that our juvenile justice system needs an overhaul. He is committed to ensuring that our community is protected, that youth are treated fairly and that the DA’s office focuses on actual safety rather than political optics.

Salt Lake County deserves a District Attorney’s office that we can trust. We deserve a chief law enforcement officer who values the truth and his duty as a public servant more than his own incumbency.

I took a stand for integrity because I believe that every single member of our community is worth fighting for. The truth should be a prosecutor's guiding light at all times. Not relationships. Not politics. Now, I’m asking you to take a stand with me. Let’s bring accountability back to the District Attorney’s office.

Please join me in supporting Shawn Robinson.

Sincerely,

Meghann Mills
Attorney and Former Salt Lake County Prosecutor