Bezy Realty Settles With Port of Centralia Over 2016 Theft

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Pete Bezy Realty will repay more than $57,000 to the Port of Centralia following the company’s discovery last year of embezzlement committed in 2016.

Port commissioners approved the settlement Wednesday, which reimburses the Port for the full amount that was owed. The real estate company contracted with the Port for property management services on Port-owned residential property on Brotherson Road.

Early in 2017, Port of Centralia executive director Kyle Heaton told commissioners, Pete Bezy Realty “brought to our attention … that they had an embezzlement.” Both the Port and state auditors conducted investigations into the matter, and Heaton said the company was cooperative in those efforts.



Port attorney Heather Burgess negotiated the settlement with an attorney from Bezy, which came to $57,254.44. Port Commissioners Dan Keahey and Julie Shaffley approved the settlement. Commissioner Peter Lahmann was absent. 

Neither Heaton nor Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer responded to requests for more details on the embezzlement case. Pete Bezy Realty cited confidentiality standards, saying it would be unable to provide more information.