WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The wife of a former Kansas mayor who resigned abruptly before the couple was charged with making fake tickets to attend a zoo fundraiser has been granted diversion in the case.
Elizabeth Blubaugh has to pay $945 in restitution to the Sedgwick County Zoo plus other fees, attend and complete a theft education program and perform 40 hours of community service as the part of the agreement.
Her husband, Jamey Blubaugh, is scheduled for a bench trial next month. He resigned in August as the mayor of Goddard, a suburb of Wichita, citing conflicts with the city administrators. The misdemeanor counterfeiting charges were filed against the couple two days later.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY —The mayor of Goddard who resigned on Monday was charged Wednesday with counterfeiting, a class A nonperson misdemeanor, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Jamey Blubaugh and his wife, Elizabeth, were charged Wednesday with one count of counterfeiting, which is a misdemeanor. The Sedgwick County District Attorney's office said the couple is accused of using counterfeit tickets to attend last year's Zoobilee at the Sedgwick County Zoo. The tickets were $165 each.
According to the city of Goddard, "We understand that the former Mayor, who resigned Monday, August 3, 2020, is facing serious criminal charges. We also understand that these charges have no connection with any official action of the former Mayor.
The City has no role in any decision to make these charges, and it has not conducted any investigation of these charges. Former Mayor Jamey Blubaugh, like any other individual, is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
We fully support law enforcement officials, and have expressed our commitment to cooperate with the District Attorney’s office to find the truth of the allegations.
We recognize that Goddard City officials expect to be held accountable for any actions that reflect badly on the City. These charges serve as an important reminder that no one is above the law. The citizens of Goddard deserve public servants acting with integrity. We look forward to justice being served in all cases where the public’s trust has been betrayed.
We are disappointed that this event may overshadow the number of positive developments that are happening in the community. We are hopeful that the distraction will not obscure the growth and vitality of the community.
These issues are entirely unconnected to the City, representing charges brought by the District Attorney against the former Mayor."