Ian Rollins Albany Democrat-Herald | Posted: Wednesday, May 3, 2006 10:00 pm
CORVALLIS - Facing investigations for exaggerating his educational background, Benton County Sheriff's Sgt. Jack Burright said today that he had done nothing wrong.
Burright, 38, is one of two candidates for Benton County Sheriff on the November ballot. Depending on the outcome of any investigations, his candidacy could be in question.
But he doesn't plan on withdrawing from the race. "There's no doubt in my mind," he said. "It's not an issue."
The Corvallis Gazette-Times reported today that in 2003 Burright had bought a college degree from Farington University, an uncertified diploma mill. And in at least five applications, Burright indicated that he had graduated from Corvallis High School in 1985 when he had not.
One of those was a 1991 application to the Oregon Department of Public Safety, Standards and Training. Others were with the sheriff's office on a job application for deputy, then applications when he was promoted to corporal and sergeant. The fifth was his candidate filing last year.
He dropped out of high school during his senior year but he did receive his GED later.
"Did I hit the wrong box in 1999? Possibly," Burright said. "Maybe I'm guilty of not slowing down, dotting every 'i' and crossing every 't.'"
He also pointed out that the sheriff's office and the Cannon Beach Police Department didn't have a problem with it when they interviewed him for jobs.
"I passed a background check at the sheriff's office a long time ago," he said. "Law enforcement has the best background checks in the business."
He acknowledged he bought the diploma from Farington University, which is not accredited.
He did not list the phony degree in his filing for the election for sheriff.
But Burright said he has never lied to anyone about the degree's worthlessness. He has since enrolled at Southwest University, a distance-learning school in Kenner, La., to get a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.
He said that he's a "couple of classes" away from getting his diploma, which he hopes to attain in June.
Burright also indicated in his filing that he has a "pending" associate's degree in criminal justice from Linn-Benton Community College. The Gazette-Times reported that he hasn't taken classes there since 1991, and that he doesn't have enough credits for a criminal justice degree.
He faces possible investigations from the county and state Public Safety Department. The Oregon Secretary of State's Office, Elections Division, would open an investigation if a voter requested one.
Libet Hatch, Benton County Human Resources Director, said this morning that no decisions had been made yet about an investigation, how long one might take or whether Burright will remain on duty while an investigation takes place.
Burright is running for sheriff against Undersheriff Diana Simpson. Because there are only two canddiates, the election will be held as part of the general election this fall, not during the current primary as in Linn County.
To view Jack Burright's Farington University diploma and transcripts, click on the link below.