Apr 13, 2021

Ex-Kan. mayor strikes deal for counterfeiting fundraiser tickets

Posted Apr 13, 2021 9:00 PM
Elizabeth Blubaugh was granted diversion in the case in December.-photo Sedgwick County
Elizabeth Blubaugh was granted diversion in the case in December.-photo Sedgwick County

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A former Kansas mayor who resigned abruptly before the couple was charged with making fake tickets to attend a zoo fundraiser has entered into a diversion agreement with prosecutors in the case.

Former Goddard Mayor Jamey Lee Blubaugh signed his diversion packet in open court on Monday, Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett said in a written statement.

Prosecutors charged Blubaugh and his wife, Elizabeth, each with one misdemeanor count of counterfeiting in August. The couple, both local real estate agents, are accused of photocopying passes to the Sedgwick County Zoo’s 2019 charity fundraiser, Zoobilee.

Jamey Blubaugh-photo Sedgwick County
Jamey Blubaugh-photo Sedgwick County

The charges were made public just days after he resigned from his post as Goddard’s mayor.

Announcement of his diversion agreement comes on the same day the former mayor had been scheduled for trial, the Wichita Eagle reported. Diversion allows defendants to have their prosecution suspended and criminal charges subsequently dismissed if they promise to follow rules and stay out of trouble.

“Among the standard conditions of diversion, for the next 12 months, Mr. Blubaugh must follow the law, perform 50 hours of community service, and pay $980 in restitution as well as court costs and diversion fees,” Bennett said.

His wife, Elizabeth Blubaugh, was granted diversion in December.