Tim DeChristopher, an environmental activist and economics student at the University of Utah gained media attention on December 19, 2008, when he disrupted a controversial land auction of Utah wildlands, hastily organized by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management under outgoing president George W. Bush in a last-minute attempt to transfer ownership to oil and gas companies. DeChristopher did so by posing as a bidder and winning over ten land parcels, as well as raising prices for other bidders. He was questioned and released by the authorities; charges against him are being considered by federal prosecutors. The land lots he won cannot be re-auctioned for 30 days, when President-elect Barack Obama's administration will have already taken office. John Podesta, the head of Obama's transition team, has stated his opposition to the lease sale.
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