In response to a Utah News Dispatch report that the Summit County Attorney’s Office is investigating Wasatch County Sheriff Rigby for obstruction of justice, Rigby said that he “acted lawfully.” He is “confident of the outcome” of the criminal investigation. Rigby has not been formally charged. The investigation is digging into whether Rigby attempted to use accusations against a political opponent to interfere in the Kouri Richins murder case, which took place in Summit County. As the investigation continues, so does Rigby’s campaign for reelection.  “I want to address the people of Wasatch County directly,” Rigby said in a prepared statement sent to The Park Record on Thursday. “I have dedicated my career to law enforcement in this community and I have always acted in accordance with my oath of office.” The investigation into Rigby reportedly began after the Wasatch County sheriff presented an anonymous letter to Summit County Sheriff Kacey Bates. That letter detailed allegations against Summit County Deputy Eric Mainord, who is currently running against Rigby for Wasatch County sheriff.  Rick Van Wagoner is Mainord’s attorney. He said he understands that the active investigation is probing whether the anonymous letter was intended to be “extortion or blackmail” to prompt Mainord’s exit from the upcoming sheriff’s election.  “If that didn’t work, whether it was an effort to sully him as a potential witness in a murder case with statements that we believe are inaccurate,” Van Wagoner said. “If that’s the case, we think it could be a very serious crime by whoever was behind this anonymous letter.”Van Wagoner asserted that Mainord has an “exemplary record, and would make a great Wasatch County sheriff.” Summit County Sheriff’s Detective Eric Mainord speaks during a recent candidate debate as his opponents for Wasatch County sheriff, Wasatch County Emergency Management Director Jeremy Hales and incumbent Sheriff Jared Rigby, look on. Credit: Christopher Reeves Mainord was a detective working on the Richins case — involving the Kamas mother found guilty of killing her husband. Richins was convicted of aggravated murder, attempted homicide, two counts of insurance fraud and forgery.  Wasatch County Manager Dustin Grabau said Wasatch County has already complied with, and will continue to comply with, the Summit County Attorney’s Office in its investigation of Rigby. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the investigation and added that it is now sealed, limiting access to information about the probe.  This is not the first time Rigby and the Sheriff’s Office have been under investigation. A 2025 investigation, conducted by retired Utah State District Judge Richard D. McKelvie, found concerns about hiring and promotion, the merit system, duty and shift assignments, fear of retaliation, misuse of county resources and equipment, investigation interference and interagency relationships.  Rigby was accused of absenteeism, investigation interference, favoritism and retaliation. Both Rigby and Undersheriff Josh Probst were involved in “numerous examples” of interference in investigations by the report, including the death of Patrick Hayes, who was shot and killed near Ross Creek on Sept. 25, 2024.  In his statement, Rigby noted the timing of the Summit County Attorney’s Office criminal investigation is critical. It comes after he was the top vote-getter during the Wasatch County Republican Party nominating convention, though no candidate — Rigby, Mainord or Wasatch County Emergency Management Director Jeremy Hales — secured a majority 60% of the vote. There will be a June 23 primary election, where all three will appear on the ballot. “This is not the first time politically motivated complaints have surfaced during election season, which is why I am calling for an immediate investigation by a law enforcement agency that is neutral, unbiased and free of legal conflicts,” Rigby said. “My focus remains where it has always been, serving the people of Wasatch County.” The post Wasatch County Sheriff Jared Rigby responds to criminal investigation into him appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less