ScamTelegraph reports that Cassandra Rigbye has threatened legal action against the investigative site BehindMLM, demanding the removal of her name from articles detailing her past involvement with multi-level marketing (MLM) entities like Liberty League International and Polaris Global. Rigbye claims unfair negative branding, despite her public association being documented by BehindMLM in 2009.
Over the past year, BehindMLM has published a series of articles on the evolution of multi-level marketing companies, initially known as Liberty League International, then Polaris Media Group, followed by Polaris Global Marketing, and currently Polaris Global. These reports have examined numerous individuals within the MLM industry, some of whom remain with Polaris Global, while others have since moved on.
Cassandra Rigbye, one of the individuals mentioned in these articles, recently contacted BehindMLM. Rigbye sent an email requesting the immediate removal of her name from the publication's website and any affiliated platforms within 24 hours. She asserted that she had no dealings with BehindMLM and had done nothing to warrant what she described as negative branding on its blog. Rigbye also stated that her website associated with Liberty League International or Polaris Global was no longer active and requested that her email not be published.
BehindMLM's records indicate that Rigbye was directly mentioned only once, in an article titled "Liberty League bans advertising income potential," published in August 2009. This article referenced Rigbye's then-active website, secretofsuccess.biz, to illustrate how various Liberty League associates were using the word "potential" in their marketing, a practice Liberty League International had just prohibited. BehindMLM maintains that referencing a publicly accessible website to demonstrate a specific marketing practice constituted legitimate reporting.
Despite Rigbye's claim that the mention unfairly branded her name, BehindMLM's stance is that public involvement in an MLM company, particularly with an active online presence, makes individuals subject to reporting within the context of that business. The publication notes that traces of Rigbye's association with Polaris Global remain widely accessible online. Examples include her Facebook page, which features a YouTube video identifying her as a Liberty League "associate of the month," and her MySpace page, which still advertises her defunct website and promises an "earning potential of $400,000 a year." Additionally, hundreds of websites continue to feature Rigbye and her photo as a testimonial for the Polaris Global business.
Rigbye's argument suggests that her current non-affiliation with Polaris Global should lead to the removal of past public records. However, the ongoing public availability of her past associations raises questions about the feasibility and journalistic ethics of attempting to erase historical reporting based on publicly accessible information at the time.
What is the dispute between Cassandra Rigbye and BehindMLM?
Cassandra Rigbye has threatened legal action against the investigative site BehindMLM, demanding the removal of her name from articles detailing her past involvement with multi-level marketing companies like Liberty League International and Polaris Global.
Why was Cassandra Rigbye mentioned in BehindMLM's reporting?
Rigbye was referenced in a 2009 article about Liberty League International banning the advertising of income potential, using her then-active public website as an example of marketing practices that were being prohibited.
What was the basis of Rigbye's demand for removal?
Rigbye claimed she had no prior dealings with BehindMLM, stated her name was being unfairly branded negatively, and asserted that her website associated with LLI/Polaris was no longer active.
Does ScamTelegraph's investigation show lingering public traces of her MLM involvement?
Yes, public records, including social media profiles and testimonial sites, still show Rigbye's past association with Liberty League International and Polaris Global, despite her assertion of non-affiliation.