Former property manager accused of theft now in Hawaii, defense attorney says
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POLSON — A former Polson property manager who has been charged with 16 felony and three misdemeanor thefts for allegedly bilking his business clients out of more than $180,000 has moved to Hawaii.
Defense attorney Paul T. Ryan said in court on Oct. 26 that he is working on a plea agreement for his client, Douglas Dennis Lichte.
In an Aug. 24 court filing, Ryan said Lichte was getting married and moving to the Aloha state.
Lichte, formerly of Polson Property Management, was charged and an arrest warrant issued March 14. He posted $100,000 bail on March 28 after he was arrested and detained in the Gallatin County Detention Center.
According to court documents, Lichte failed to produce rent monies and deposits and failed to pay utilities, property taxes and rental repairs for various individuals and two homeowners associations dating from July 2016 through January. There were 19 victims in total, deputy county attorney Ben Anciaux said last week.
Last week, Ryan said he is working on a plea agreement whereby Lichte would pay a substantial portion of the funds “up front.”
However, Anciaux said the $180,000-plus figure “seems a little low.”
If convicted, Lichte can receive up to a $50,000 fine and 10 years in prison for each felony and a $1,500 fine and six months in jail for each misdemeanor.
The case was continued to Jan. 4, 2018.
