The trial of Anne Marie Baker, the 58-year-old Centralia woman accused of embezzling $1.4 million from a former employer over a seven-year period, has been pushed to at least Sept. 28.
A trial was previously scheduled to begin July 14.
Baker’s defense attorney, Christopher Taylor, presented a signed speedy trial waiver during a motion hearing on July 9. The court accepted and entered the waiver.
According to the waiver, the last allowable date for trial is Dec. 27, 2026.
Baker, previously known as Anne Marie Garrett, pleaded not guilty to all 25 counts of felony theft during an arraignment in Lewis County Superior Court on Aug. 28, 2025.
Baker was first arrested Aug. 1, 2025, and has been out of custody since posting $100,000 in bail on Aug. 3, 2025.
The former accountant and office manager for Schwiesow Construction Inc. allegedly forged 221 checks from Aug. 1, 2019, through Aug. 1, 2025.
She was laid off by the company in May 2025, according to court documents.
A probable cause affidavit filed by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office listed how much Baker allegedly stole from the company each year:
• 2025 — $18,200.00
• 2024 — $136,000.50
• 2023 — $256,500.00
• 2022 — $295,000.00
• 2021 — $204,600.00
• 2020 — $218,611.14
For more coverage on Baker’s initial arrest and preliminary appearance, visit https://tinyurl.com/e52kjk2b.
