Alleged contracting thief says he's too broke to hire attorney

Jeremy Block, the Great Falls contractor who allegedly took $5,320 last September to repair a Havre couple's roof and disappeared without fixing anything, appeared in court Tuesday morning to explain to the court that he's broke and should be eligible for a public defender.

Block appeared before state District Court Judge Dan Boucher for his review of public defender eligibility hearing without an attorney. The court rescinded Block's public defender a few months ago because he did not meet the financial guidelines to have a public defender appointed.

Block, who is retired from the U.S. Air Force, said he receives about $1,096 in Veterans Affairs benefits and about $1,447 in retirement benefits.

In her testimony, Administrative Assistant for Office of State Public Defender Jamie Moore said that an overall review of Block's financial circumstances showed that he was paying "large" payments for a vehicle, a camper and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Moore added that Block had a sizable house payment.

When asked by public defender Kaydee Snipes Ruiz, who appeared through video, what those large payments indicated, Moore answered: "That they led a comfortable life."

Moore added that a review of Block's bank statements, from October to the end of 2015, showed that Block had deposited four checks, the lowest of about $2,000 and the highest of approximately $5,700.

Moore said the bank statements were not consistent with Block's application for a public defender, and Ruiz said that the checks proved that Block was "making some sort of side money."

Block told the court that the vehicles mentioned were recently repossessed. As for the benefits he receives, he is struggling to pay the mortgage for the house his estranged wife and three children live in. Block said he and his wife have been separated since June, and as far he knows, she does not work.

But, as Boucher pointed out, Block is only lawfully obligated to $680 in child support to an ex-wife in another state, which is automatically taken out of his retirement fund.

Block said he did not receive any other money from anywhere, despite Moore saying he did. He said that his friends help him out, including the "buddy" who feeds him.

In the end, Boucher ordered a public defender for Block, especially because the mortgage payment he's making can be as support payment to his wife and children. But, Boucher added, the court may order Block to pay any or all fees during or after course of representation if the court decides it appropriate.

Boucher set a Feb. 22 deadline for motions and suggested dates.