Jury acquits sheriff’s deputy of insurance fraud

A Spokane jury acquitted on Tuesday a 15-year veteran of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office who faced charges of insurance fraud. Deputy Jeremy B. Jeske was placed on paid administrative leave in June, and in July the state Attorney General’s Office filed two criminal counts of insurance fraud stemming from claims in April for snow damage to a trailer he was storing near Priest Lake, Idaho, and damage to a carport in Davenport. The jury found Jeske not guilty Tuesday afternoon after a two-day trial. The Washington State Attorney General’s Office handled prosecution of the case at the request of Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Tucker. Jeske’s attorney, Rob Cossey, said he was pleased with Tuesday’s verdict and credited the jury with considering “all the evidence, not just part of it.” “This case should not have gone to trial,” Cossey said Tuesday. Claims investigators with State Farm alleged Jeske used digital photographs taken before he bought coverage for the trailer to seek compensation. Jeske filed a claim with another company for the carport, which he then tried to rescind, calling the claim a “misunderstanding,” according to court records. The state Attorney General’s office said Jeske remains on paid leave from the Sheriff’s Office.