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Utah must pay nearly $500,000 in legal fees in Brewvies' ‘Deadpool’ case. Judge slams Legislature, A.G.’s office for passing and enforcing an unconstitutional law

A federal judge has ordered the state of Utah to pay nearly $500,000 in attorney fees in the alcohol, sex and First Amendment case involving Brewvies Cinema Pub and its screening of the film “Deadpool.”

In his order late Wednesday, Judge David Nuffer also admonished the Legislature for passing a laws that are unconstitutional.

“The political judgment of the State that it will enact a statute contrary to existing law and risk payment of legal fees is a legitimate choice, but it has consequences,” Nuffer wrote. “As long as the Legislature passes laws which the attorney general is obligated to defend, the financial risks to the State and taxpayers will continue.