New Utah solicitor general faces sanctions in Florida for making false statements

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s newly hired solicitor general faces sanctions in a federal court case she previously worked on in which a judge says she made false statements and representations.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William Matthewman had strong words for how Melissa Holyoak objected to the settlement of a class-action lawsuit against National Tire and Battery in Florida.

“The court is concerned that Ms. Holyoak may have intentionally attempted to mislead the parties and the court on a material matter in a case of national importance, which impacts the safety of every man, woman and child who travels on American roads. If not intentional, her conduct appears to be reckless or negligent,” the judge wrote.

The lawsuit claims that National Tire and Battery failed to provide a federally required paper registration form with each tire sold. The form includes the tire dealer’s contact information and identification number on each tire in the event of a safety recall.

Read more: https://www.deseret.com/utah/2020/9/9/21429069/utah-national-tire-lawsuit-sanctions-federal-court-attorney-general-sean-reyes-melissa-holyoak