A Utah congressional candidate is facing explosive accusations from four people — including three elected officials — who say she made aggressive, unwanted sexual advances before taking office.
Salt Lake City Council member Eva Lopez Chavez is accused by colleagues and political insiders of physically restraining them during encounters they describe as inappropriate and uncomfortable.
The allegations come from fellow City Council member Victoria Petro, state Sen. Jen Plumb, state Rep. Hoang Nguyen, and Maggie Regier, a former political campaign staffer. Each described separate incidents in interviews, alleging that Lopez Chavez restrained them during encounters they considered inappropriate.
Lopez Chavez, through her attorney Greg Skordas, denied the allegations, stating that no inappropriate conduct occurred and that one of the alleged incidents “never occurred.” She said she is “shocked by the allegations” and is willing to “submit to a polygraph test” if requested.
None of the four individuals reported the incidents to law enforcement at the time. They said they chose to come forward now in part due to Lopez Chavez’s congressional campaign and her public criticism of a rival candidate over past comments minimizing sexual assault.
Individual Allegations
Victoria Petro said that during a 2022 party, Lopez Chavez allegedly grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against a pillar, telling her, “The only reason I still f— men is because a woman hasn’t shown me what I really want.”
Petro said she pushed Lopez Chavez away and later reported the incident to Council Chair Alejandro Puy.
“If a man had done that to me, would there be a question if it was assault or not?” she said.
Lopez Chavez’s lawyer says it never happened — and points to party photos showing everyone “smiling and laughing.”
Skordas denied the allegation, stating that “nothing inappropriate happened” and pointing to photos and videos from the event showing attendees “smiling and laughing.”
State Sen. Jen Plumb alleged that at a 2022 birthday party, Lopez Chavez pushed her against a wall, made a sexual comment, and grabbed her.
“It absolutely was a sexual advance,” Plumb said. “Come on. Knock it off.”
Skordas rejected that claim, stating the incident “never occurred” and that Lopez Chavez “never touched Jen Plumb.”
State Rep. Hoang Nguyen described an encounter in which she said Lopez Chavez climbed on top of her in a car and demanded a kiss. “I said, ‘What are you doing?’ And she said, ‘Kiss me,’” Nguyen said.
Skordas did not directly address the specific allegation but said communications between the two show a “friendly and cordial” relationship with no mention of misconduct.
Maggie Regier alleged that at a 2019 fundraising event, Lopez Chavez pulled them by the wrist, pinned them against a wall, and continuing unwanted advances.
At one point, a friend stepped in, saying: “Leave Maggie alone.”
Lopez Chavez’s lawyer says that version is “false” and insists the interaction was harmless.
Skordas disputed this account as well, saying the interaction involved “playing and laughing” and that “no one was inappropriate in any way.”
Political fallout brewing
The allegations are already rippling through local politics.
City Council Chair Alejandro Puy said the reports point to “a pattern of conduct” and has launched a policy review.
“When safety and institutional integrity are at issue, inaction is not an option,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Lopez Chavez has filed her own complaints against colleagues — though her lawyer says those are unrelated to the misconduct claims.
The mayor’s office says it had no prior knowledge of any allegations.
Now, as Lopez Chavez campaigns for Congress, the accusations threaten to overshadow her bid
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of recent congressional upheaval. Earlier this month, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) stepped down from Congress amid sexual misconduct allegations and mounting bipartisan pressure, highlighting the growing political consequences of such claims.
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The news article states “Skordas denied the allegation, stating that “nothing inappropriate happened” and pointing to photos and videos from the event showing attendees “smiling and laughing.” So what does that prove, those photos and videos could have been taken before the inappropriate sexual encounters perpetrated by Lopez Chavez