Woman pleads guilty to arson in connection with house fire

June 17--COLFAX -- A Spokane woman pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second-degree arson Friday as part of a plea agreement with the Whitman County Prosecutor's Office.

Diane Galler, 51, also was ordered to pay more than $161,000 in restitution to State Farm Insurance Co. for filing a false insurance claim.

The case stems from a fire in Tekoa last September that destroyed a rental home Galler owned.

During a Superior Court hearing Friday, Prosecutor Denis Tracy said the fire initially appeared to be accidental. Galler then filed an insurance claim for the value of the home and its contents.

However, a tip to the National Insurance Crime Bureau in January prompted additional investigation. Deputies later interviewed a woman who was with Galler the evening before the fire, together with brothers Darien and Raymond Rhoads of Spokane.

"She told how Ms. Galler encouraged the Rhoads brothers to burn down the house," Tracy said. "In return, they were each paid $1,000."

Both brothers subsequently pleaded guilty to second-degree arson.

As part of the plea agreement, "Ms. Galler is admitting that she intentionally committed the crime, in cooperation with others, in an effort to gain financially," Tracy said.

Judge Gary Libey will sentence Galler on June 29. The standard range for second-degree arson is three to nine months; Tracy is recommending a nine-month sentence in addition to full restitution.

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Spence may be contacted at bspence@lmtribune.com or (208) 791-9168.

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