WASHINGTON — A questionnaire that 10th Circuit Court judge nominee Scott M. Matheson Jr. filed with the Senate shows two perhaps little-known facts about him.
First, Scott M. Matheson Jr. was not always his name. Second, the University of Utah law professor and former Democratic gubernatorial nominee technically is a millionaire.
"After my grandfather, Scott Milne Matheson, died in 1958, my father dropped the 'Jr.' from his name and replaced the 'III' in mine. I was originally named Scott Milne Matheson III," Matheson wrote in response to a Senate question about any different names he had used in his lifetime.
He was only 5 years old when his father — who became a two-term governor of Utah — changed their names. Matheson is also the older brother of current U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah.
As a judicial nominee, Scott Matheson was required to fill out a lengthy questionnaire (his is 47 pages long) listing everything from his financial worth and investments to details about all media interviews he has ever given, legal cases in which he has been involved, and his work history.
Senators use the questionnaire to launch research into his background for upcoming confirmation hearings.
Matheson listed his net worth at $1.89 million. He listed no debt or loans of any type. His assets included his home, valued at $448,400; deferred retirement plans, valued at $1.25 million; and securities investments of about $29,000.
His 2009 income included a salary of $183,000 from the University of Utah, and $10,000 for winning the Roy C. Palmer Civil Liberties Prize for a book he wrote, "Presidential Constitutionalism in Perilous Times."
He also reported that he had not yet received any royalties from Harvard University Press for writing that book, but said that he may soon.
Matheson noted that he has a law degree from Yale University, was a Rhodes Scholar and received a master's degree from Oxford University and earned a bachelor's degree with distinction from Stanford University.
His experience includes serving as the U.S. attorney for Utah from 1993 to 1997; dean of the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the U.; a prosecutor in the Salt Lake County Attorney's Office; and as an attorney for a private firm in Washington, D.C. He also was campaign manager for his father's two gubernatorial campaigns.
One question asked him to list "all interviews you have given to newspapers" and broadcast outlets. Most nominees may not have spoken to reporters often, but Matheson's list of interviews goes for six pages — and he warns that the information is from a "very incomplete file of clips" and he does not "recall all contacts."
He explains, "As a law professor, dean, U.S. attorney and political candidate, I have been interviewed and quoted in media many times over the years, most often with a brief comment."
Matheson was also asked to list the top 10 court cases in which he has been involved. He included a murder case he prosecuted in 1989, a libel case in which he helped defend the Washington Post and another libel case in which he defended the St. George Spectrum newspaper.
The Senate also asked him to describe his experience so far in the judicial nomination process. Matheson said when he heard a vacancy on the court was likely, "I sent a letter and biographical materials to the president" and contacted members of Congress about his interest last May.
He said he was told he was under consideration on Oct. 30, and he was interviewed by White House attorneys on Dec. 21. President Barack Obama nominated him on March 30. Matheson said no one discussed any current or pending case, nor did they ask him his opinion on any current cases or issues.
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