Former Polson property manager to return to court

A hearing for Douglas Dennis Lichte has been continued until the New Year after his counsel reported in court last week that he is trying to pay a large amount of restitution.

Lichte will be back in court Jan. 4 at 9 a.m.

Lichte has been working with counsel to pay more than $100,000 in restitution, according to his lawyer, Paul Ryan, who spoke on behalf of his client, who previously received permission to move to Hawaii after he got married.

Ryan requested a 30-60 day continuance, court records show.

There were 19 victims after Lichte stole rental payments and security deposits.

Earlier this year, the Polson Police Department sought information on Lichte following a financial theft investigation.

It was suspected that Lichte emptied various bank accounts that contained rental payments, security deposits and other funds held in trust for individuals, partnerships or shareholders, according to a post the PPD shared on its Facebook page.