The Supreme Court ruled last year that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission displayed “anti-religious bias” in finding that Phillips violated the state’s anti-discrimination laws by refusing to bake a cake for a gay wedding. Soon after the decision was handed down, the Civil Rights Commission brought another anti-discrimination complaint against Phillips over his refusal to bake a cake celebrating Scardina’s gender transition.

In response, Phillips sued the state, alleging that he was being persecuted due to his Christian beliefs. Phillips and the Civil Rights Commission then agreed to drop their respective cases in March after the discovery phase demonstrated that the state was displaying “anti-religious hostility” by continuing to pursue Phillips.