New trial date is set in Tim DeChristopher bogus lease bids case

SALT LAKE CITY — A new trial date was set Tuesday in the case of Tim DeChristopher, who is accused of throwing a monkey wrench in a federal oil- and gas-lease auction by making bogus bids.

The three-day jury trial will begin June 21 before U.S. District Judge Dee Benson.

DeChristopher was indicted last year on charges of providing a false statement and violating the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act during an auction held by the Bureau of Land Management. He won 14 parcels of land worth $1.7 million that he never intended to pay for.

A trial date was initially set for March 15, but it was delayed after defense attorneys filed a motion asking for all of the information prosecutors have on other people who failed to follow through on bids on oil and gas leases. They alleged DeChristopher was being personally discriminated against and was a target of selective prosecution.

Benson denied that motion earlier this week.

— Emiley Morgan