Wasatch County Sheriff Files To Remove Judge as Officials Push Resignation

Overview

• Prosecutors indicted Sheriff Jared Rigby on obstruction of justice and a false-statement misdemeanor linked to an anonymous letter about the Kouri Richins prosecution; Rigby has pleaded not guilty.
• Rigby filed a motion seeking to disqualify 3rd District Judge Richard Mrazik from the case, arguing Mrazik has personal knowledge that could make him a witness, and the request has been referred to another judge for review.
• Wasatch County officials have offered Rigby his remaining salary and benefits to resign and will vote on a formal call for his resignation at a county council meeting on Wednesday, but Rigby has refused the offer.
• Because of the criminal charges, Rigby has lost access to a private statewide law-enforcement database that officials say prevents him from checking active warrants, criminal histories, and other nonpublic records needed to perform sheriff duties.
• The indictment remains redacted from public view and a Nov. 4 court hearing will decide whether parts of the charging document can be unsealed while a related charge against former Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds raises questions about Brady-Giglio disclosure obligations in the Richins case.