This editorial board was impressed by the words of Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) Commissioner Michael Kelly, who has always said he was there to look out for the ratepayers.
It was especially disappointing to learn that Kelly is being accused — with ample evidence — of being there only to help himself. According to court documents and The Chronicle newsroom’s own reporting, Kelly asked the utility’s manager to create a high-paying administrative job for him that the utility and its ratepayers don’t need.
In what has resulted in two felony charges in Lewis County Superior Court, Kelly allegedly tried to bargain with the PUD General Manager David Plotz, saying he would get Plotz a pay raise to his liking if Plotz would create a new job just for Kelly, who is losing his position at TransAlta.
“You take care of me, I’ll take care of you” Kelly allegedly told Plotz over drinks at a local watering hole.
According to court documents, he then confirmed the proposed deal in phone calls recorded by the Centralia Police Department.
History reminds us that former PUD Manager Chris Roden was forced out after Kelly was elected in 2020. Would he not do what Kelly wanted and was therefore shown the door? Did Kelly think Plotz would be his “yes man” and do as he was told?
Centralia police and the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office believe there is enough evidence to convict Kelly of felony bribery and requesting unlawful compensation, that he tried to trade his position as an elected official for a high-paying job at the utility.
Unfortunately for Kelly — but fortunately for the ratepayers — Plotz would not be pushed around. Plotz did his job as a public official and reported the bribe attempt to police, who then investigated and charged Kelly with a pair of felonies.
By all accounts thus far, Plotz stood strong and said “no” to Kelly’s corrupt offer.
Kelly seems to have forgotten that he is a public official and that the utility exists to serve ratepayers and not himself.
The evidence thus far shows he tried to use his public office for personal gain.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Lewis County prosecutors, Kelly not only made the corrupt offer to Plotz in person but then repeated the plan on the phone while being recorded by the Centralia police — twice.
This is clear and obvious corruption, with enough evidence in the eyes of the county prosecutor to put Kelly in jail over the Thanksgiving holiday.
The court system will decide the legal outcome of Kelly’s bribery. There, the standard will be “proof beyond any reasonable doubt.”
The standard for whether Kelly should remain in public office is different.
If there is enough evidence to convince a Lewis County Superior Court judge to issue the warrant and for the prosecutor to charge Kelly with bribery, then Kelly needs to resign from his elected office now.
He has broken the public trust.
Someday, somehow, if Kelly proves in court that he is not guilty and wants to seek office again, then the voters can decide if they want him back.
But for now, for the good of the utility, the ratepayers and the community at large, Kelly needs to go.
The PUD’s employees, starting with Plotz, need to be free to focus on the important job of supplying reliable electrical service at affordable rates to the citizens of Lewis County in their service area.
For now, “Michael Kelly” is synonymous with “corruption in office.” PUD employees and the other two commissioners will be asked constantly, “What is happening with the Kelly bribery case?”
As long as he remains on the board, Kelly will be a disruption and a sideshow that will hurt the utility and its service of public power.
If Kelly wants to truly serve the public instead of himself, he will resign immediately.
