Boiler Bay Beacon
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — University of Utah officials on Monday said a prominent Lincoln Co. commission candidate does not have the advanced college diploma she claims to have been awarded in the May 19th voters’ pamphlet.
Responding to a query by the Boiler Bay Beacon, university spokeswoman Heather King appeared to settle the question about Pos. 1 challenger Cathie Rigby, who declared she held an impressive master’s degree from Utah.
“Catherine Anne Rigby born 12-24-1970 received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and coursework towards a Master of Public Policy but she did not graduate from the MPP program,” wrote King, on April 27. “Dates of Attendance for the MPP were 08-24-2015 to 08-02-2019.”
Touting her disputed graduate credentials since moving to the Oregon coast in 2023, Cathie Rigby has risen to the top of the professional ladder as a Newport city department head, director of a humanitarian non-profit and now as a contender for a $100,000 per year seat on the county commission. A Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree is widely considered advantageous to landing top-tier roles in public and non-profit sectors, significantly boosting earning potential.
But a Lincoln City resident contends Rigby isn’t quite who she says she is. At a website called RigbyVerify.com, Ross Smith II disputes Rigby’s inflated self-portrayal in the voter’s pamphlet, citing a background of financial difficulties, domestic struggles and false claims about her academic success.
At the heart of the political storm brewing across Lincoln County is a sworn application submitted by Rigby to County Clerk Amy Southwell for a Voters’ Pamphlet biography. On that official document, Rigby claimed she received a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Utah. The form warns that supplying false information could be treated as a Class C felony under Oregon election law.
“When a candidate is running to manage a staggering $210 million budget, the accuracy of these sworn statements is the ultimate test of public trust,” said Smith, a longtime whistleblower and keen supporter of incumbent Casey Miller, one of Rigby’s five opponents in the May 19 primary election.
On April 24, several days after giving Rigby time to explain the dubious degree, Smith filed a formal election-law complaint with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division, asking the state to review whether the voters’ pamphlet degree claim violated Oregon election law.
Rigby issued a statement saying she immediately contacted the University of Utah after learning of questions about her advanced degree: “As far as I am aware, I have earned a master’s degree in public policy and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Utah; and I have spent the last several days working with University officials to clarify and correct this discrepancy. I hope to have this matter resolved quickly, so that there are no further questions to the fact that I am the most qualified and capable candidate in this election for Lincoln County Commissioner. Thank you for your support and patience.”
While she continues to sort out her credentials, supporters have posted photos of Rigby in graduation attire as proof of her bonafides. But In the high-stakes world of county government, “as far as I am aware” may be a terrifying compass to sail by, according to election watchdog Ross Smith.
“The missing diploma is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “If other candidates can be honest about their past, why did Rigby choose to keep hers hidden? Review the records yourself at rigbyverify.com. In this election, truth is the only lighthouse we have.”
Ross Smith treasurer of the effort to recall Claire Hall is at it again it seems. He’ll vote for Casey Miller no doubt. Well, I am still voting for Cathy Rigby. I had enough credits for an associate degree in accounting but did not petition for graduation because of an abusive husband I had at the time. I believe Cathy RIgby is she says she has the degree she says she has.
The struggle with this is trust, honesty and integrity must be present for our commission to handle County business correctly or we end up with more of what we have now.
Rigby states on her application she graduated in 2018 and strange pictures have emerged on a graduation with a cap with no tassel. The university states she did not graduate and gives the dates of attendance as 2015 to 2019.
Why would a student still be taking classes if the photos of graduation in 2018 are real in 2019?
Now fancy foot work is taking place but the Beacon who has the original email directly from an employee of the University stating she has not graduated as of the date of the email. This cements in place that Cathie Rigby did not have a masters Degree when she filed out her application which she also omitted 3 bankruptcies and multiple liens and a divorce.
I do appreciate the honesty of all the other candidates for commissioner and I hope they will be rewarded for their honesty.
So once again in this county, lies win out over truth. Untrue claims were made and back up by parties and their candidate won. I believe that’s an ethic violation and that person should resign immediately!