Grand County Commissioner Blames Moab 13 Lawsuit for Budget Woes

Attorney Christina Sloan argues accountability and ethics are essential infrastructure for the county.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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In a recent Grand County Commission meeting, Commissioner Bill Winfield framed the ongoing discrimination lawsuit filed by the "Moab 13" as a drain on the county's budget, suggesting the funds should instead be used for infrastructure projects. Attorney Christina Sloan, who represents the Moab 13, argues that Winfield's comments reflect a culture of minimizing and dismissing the women's complaints, and that the county's financial troubles are a result of Winfield's own leadership decisions, not the lawsuit.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tension between addressing workplace discrimination and investing in public infrastructure, as well as the challenges women face in speaking out against misconduct by elected officials in a state ranked worst for women's equality. The county's response to the Moab 13 complaint reflects a broader pattern of failing to take accountability for discriminatory behavior.

The details

The Moab 13, a group of 13 women who filed a discrimination complaint against Grand County, did so after the county's internal process failed to address their concerns about harassment, sexualized behavior, and a hostile work environment. Rather than engage transparently, the county has chosen to aggressively contest the claims. Commissioner Winfield's comments blaming the lawsuit for budget issues are seen by Sloan as an attempt to shift blame away from the county's own mismanagement, including Winfield's decisions that have reduced funding for key services and programs.

  • The Moab 13 filed a Notice of Claim with Grand County and Charges of Discrimination with the Utah Labor Commission in September 2025.
  • Commissioner Winfield made his comments about the Moab 13 lawsuit at a Grand County Commission meeting on February 3, 2026.

The players

Bill Winfield

A Grand County Commissioner who has been accused by the Moab 13 of engaging in inappropriate and discriminatory behavior towards women in county government.

Christina Sloan

A former Grand County Attorney who is now representing the Moab 13 in their discrimination complaint against the county.

Brian Martinez

A Grand County Commissioner who has also been named in the Moab 13 discrimination complaint.

Stephen Stocks

The Grand County Attorney who has been accused of failing to properly address the Moab 13's complaints.

The Moab 13

A group of 13 women who filed a discrimination complaint against Grand County alleging harassment, sexualized behavior, and a hostile work environment.

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What they’re saying

“This capital budget is here for these very needs . . . We need to spend that money on them, or we can save it and utilize it for a lawsuit later.”

— Bill Winfield, Grand County Commissioner (Grand County Commission Meeting)

“Winfield's comments, and the County's defense, make it clear that women within county government are expected to continue to work in a culture in which hostility, discrimination, and sexually charged behavior are minimized, explained away, or reframed as misunderstandings, personality conflicts, or politics.”

— Christina Sloan, Attorney representing the Moab 13 (moabsunnews.com)

What’s next

The judge in the Moab 13 discrimination case will decide in the coming weeks whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges women face in speaking out against misconduct by elected officials, as well as the need for greater accountability and transparency in county government. The county's response to the Moab 13 complaint reflects a broader pattern of failing to address workplace discrimination, which has real financial and institutional consequences for the community.