Former Rigby councilman enters Alford plea

A former Rigby city councilman entered an Alford plea as part of a plea agreement in a fraud case Monday.

At the Jefferson County Courthouse, Reid Blackburn entered an Alford plea for one count of insurance fraud.

An Alford plea means the defendant is asserting his innocence, but concedes he could be found guilty based on the evidence.

Under the plea agreement, a grand theft charge would be dismissed. The plea agreement is not binding, however.

Charges against Blackburn were filed in April by the Idaho Attorney General’s Office. Blackburn was arrested in Gilbert, Ariz., in May.

According to the attorney general’s complaint, Blackburn used an Allianz annuity application in May 2009 to falsely identify himself as the son of the applicant, Margaret L. Orvick. The insurance fraud charge has a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Blackburn is also accused of using money from the Orvick estate for a variety of personal expenses. The grand theft charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Blackburn will be sentenced in November. He is free on bond.