The trial of Michael Jay Kelly, the former Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) commissioner accused of attempted bribery, has been postponed until at least January.
Kelly was scheduled to begin trial the week of Nov. 17.
During Thursday’s trial confirmation hearing, however, Kelly’s attorney, Ryan English, said he would be out of town during the entire month of December, and indicated he was still working on facilitating witness interviews.
English specifically mentioned trying to schedule an interview with PUD attorney Allen Unzelman. The meeting, according to English, “fell through due to a number of issues.”
Unzelman, along with PUD General Manager David Plotz, first reported the attempted bribery on Nov. 8, 2024.
Kelly was arrested on Nov. 27, 2024. He’s been out of custody since posting $10,000 bail on Nov. 29, 2024.
The former PUD commissioner faces one count each of bribery, a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines, and requesting unlawful compensation, a Class C felony.
He pleaded not guilty to both counts during a preliminary appearance and arraignment on Dec. 2, 2024.
Kelly is accused of attempting to bribe Plotz into creating a position for him at the PUD. In exchange, Kelly allegedly promised to convince the other commissioners to raise Plotz’s salary by 8%.
After speaking with police, Plotz engaged in a judicially-authorized recorded call with Kelly on Nov. 14, 2024.
“During the call, Kelly requested Plotz create an employment position for him at the PUD (and) in trade Kelly would make sure Plotz got the requested 8% pay raise,” the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office stated in its affidavit of probable cause. “Kelly said he could persuade the other commissioners to agree to the raise and not to worry about it.”
While on the call, Plotz repeated the phrase Kelly had allegedly uttered during their initial meeting on Nov. 7: “I'll take care of you, you take care of me."
According to the affidavit, Kelly agreed to the proposition.
A subsequent judicially-authorized recorded call, this time between Kelly and Lewis County resident Lynnette Hoffman, further implicated Kelly, as detailed in the affidavit.
Kelly was elected to the PUD Board of Commissioners District 1 seat in 2020 and began in January 2021.
He was vacated from his position in March 2025 in accordance with state law after he failed to attend PUD Board of Commissioners meetings over the course of 60 days, according to a letter addressed to Kelly from Foster Garvey, a law firm providing outside legal counsel for the PUD.
“Your nonattendance during that period has not been excused by the board of commissioners,” the March 24 letter stated. “Accordingly, the District will proceed to fill the vacancy.”
PUD commissioners Mike Hadaller and Dave Fenn appointed Dave Muller to the vacant position on May 6.
Kelly is now scheduled to begin trial the week of Jan. 19.
A trial confirmation hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 15.
For more Chronicle coverage about the case, visit: https://tinyurl.com/4thtu4b6.
