April K. Kelley prepares to leave the courtroom after being charged with theft and forgery today in Lewis County Superior Court.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Prosecutors asked for $100,000 bail today for the now-former Lewis County social services manager, suggesting the theft charges against her are so serious she might not return to court.
Thirty-five-year-old April K. Kelley posted $20,000 bail over the weekend, was released from jail and then came to Lewis County Superior Court this afternoon.
The Centralia woman is accused of spending money that belonged to an association where she served as treasurer, going all the way back to 2011. The alleged amounts are in the tens of thousands of dollars.
“The more we look, the more we find,” Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer said.
Kelley worked at the Lewis County Department of Public Health & Social Services, and in that capacity, served as treasurer for the Association of County Human Services. ACHS is a non-profit group with members who provide or administer public programs related to chemical dependency, mental health and developmental disabilities.
Authorities allege Kelley admitted to withdrawing money from ACHS account in person at the bank for herself, writing checks to herself and transferring money into her account directly. At least one time, she made her mortgage payment directly from the association’s account, according to Meyer.
Kelley was charged today with four counts of first-degree theft, each with an additional factor of being major economic offense and six counts of forgery.
Meyer said each of the first four counts represent a 12-month period, and numerous transactions. The most recent forgery is listed as July 5 of this year, according to court documents.
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office this morning said a new treasurer last year reviewed the books and found $60,000 to $70,000 missing.
The records are now being reviewed by a forensic accountant to determine the exact extent of illegal activity, according to Meyer.
When Kelley went before Lewis County Superior Court Judge James Lawler, temporary defense attorney Joely O’Rourke argued for lower bail, indicating Kelley wouldn’t be a flight risk.
“She’s married to a probation officer, they have two children, she’s lived in Lewis County her entire life,” O’Rourke said.
Kelley plans to hire Centralia defense attorney Shane O’Rourke.
Judge Lawler left her bail at the $20,000 already posted, noting that was because in part she showed up for court on her own.
Her arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 6.
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For background, read “Thousands of dollars removed from governmental association account, Centralia woman arrested” from Monday September 26, 2016 at 8:51 a.m., here
is there a follow up to this story?
I will like to see the outcome of this story.
Censorship, enjoy it more when the Internet is out of US hands.
What bleebloo and Peabody said.
This women is/was a director of some sort on the Centralia Youth Soccer Association. Wouldn’t be surprised if she cooked those books too. Hope Centralia police are following all her angles.
If there is proper oversight and division of duties, there is no excuse for these multi-year embezzlements that you see in the news. An annual audit by an outside CPA would have caught this misappropriation. Board members have only themselves to blame.
Check this idiots online profile and picture on LINKEDLN. She really thought she was somebody SPECIAL! Just another skank striving for free strokes. Hope she does 15 yrs.
Hmmmmm, Drugs?, QVC addiction? Gambling? What an embarrassment for her children….
throw the book @ her!
You’re blocking you’re face now? you wern’t blocking it when you were pretending to be a City Official while stealing from Tax Payers. You are the face of corruption, a true blooded Tax Feeder. You are the exact reason the Citizens talk bad about Lewis County officials. These types of crimes should not be taken lightly. Maybe you can work for the Centralia Police as a snitch and cut a plea deal like the Green Hill Worker received. Seems like all you have to do is take responsibility for you’re crimes and be really sorry. Rumor has it you only get 14 days in jail. Make sure you’re Lawyer points that out to the Judge. Or maybe you can point out more City Employees that are knee deep in crimes against the rest of the Lewis County Citizens. Do we need to see anymore truths about Lewis County Officials? Something’s wrong here, is it the Drinking Fountain in city hall?