Michigan AG Dana Nessel announces charges against former Michigan House speaker Lee Chatfield
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed charges of financial crimes against former State House speaker Lee Chatfield and his wife, Stephanie Chatfield, on Tuesday.
Nessel announced the charges at a press conference in the state capital. The Chatfields are facing 13 charges.
Chatfield misused his multimillion-dollar Peninsula Fund, which was not required to report the names of donors and served as an "unregulated slush fund," Nessel said.
"Public integrity matters and holding accountable corrupt elected officials who abuse their authority has been a top priority for this office during my administration," Nessel continued. "This case highlights the many ways Michigan's current campaign finance and disclosure laws make concealing enormous amounts of fundraising and spending far too easy. The Michigan Campaign Finance Act does not serve as an adequate deterrent, and the inherent weaknesses of our laws in this arena not only allow for pervasive, corrupt behavior, it encourages and fosters it.
"My department will continue to pursue public corruption and bad actors who violate the law with the tools we have available, and will persist in our efforts to encourage legislative change to increase transparency and good governance in the ways in which our state government operates."
Chatfield faces 13 charges, including conducting a criminal enterprise, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
Chatfield, a Republican who is no longer a state lawmaker, was House speaker in 2019 and 2020 when the GOP controlled the chamber.
READ: Couple tied to former House Speaker Lee Chatfield charged with conducting criminal enterprise
Lee Chatfield has been charged with the following:
- One count of conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony
- Four counts of embezzlement from a nonprofit organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine
- Three counts of embezzlement by a public officer over $50, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $5,000 fine
- One count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement from a nonprofit organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine and an additional $10,000 fine
- Three counts of embezzlement, $1,000-$20,000, a felony punishable by 5 years incarceration and/or a $10,000 fine
- One count of a felony violation of the Charitable Trust Act, a felony punishable by 5 years incarceration and/or a $10,000 fine
Stephanie Chatfield has been charged with the following:
- One count of embezzlement from a nonprofit organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine
- One count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement from a nonprofit organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine and an additional $10,000 fine
The former state House speaker's attorney, Mary Chartier, issued the following statement:
"It took almost 2 and a half years for the Attorney General's Office to come up with charges against Mr. Chatfield regarding supposed financial offenses," Chartier said.
"We are prepared to fight them each and every step of the way. And we're prepared to expose this for what it is—a baseless attack on a "prodigious fundraiser" for Republican candidates by a Democratic Attorney General. Her motives in this political prosecution are clear, and they have nothing to do with integrity.
"The Attorney General did get one decision right today though by closing the meritless allegation of criminal sexual conduct.
"While we don't represent Mrs. Chatfield, she is being used as a pawn in a political prosecution, and we're confident that her attorney will effectively fight these charges in court on her behalf."
Chatfield has been under investigation since his sister-in-law said he sexually assaulted her. He has denied the allegations and said they had a consensual affair. Nessel said charges would not be filed against Chatfield and the investigation was closed.
"While it is positive to learn that Chatfield will face charges for his political misdeeds, I am deeply shocked and appalled by the Attorney General's decision today, which fails to hold the former Speaker of the House accountable for the most grotesque and obscene of his crimes: the sexual assault of my client Rebekah Chatfield, when she was still a child.
Jamie White, an attorney representing Rebekah Chatfield, released the following statement after Tuesday's announcement.
"I spoke to Rebekah this morning, and she was shattered to learn that her abuser has continued to escape justice for his sexual crimes. For her, today's news was a crushing blow. To say she was deeply disappointed to learn that the man who sexually abused her as a child will not be held accountable for that act is a serious understatement."
It is crucial that we continue to investigate this matter, as there may be more Chatfield victims whose stories have yet to be heard. The Attorney General's office has failed in its duty to prosecute the worst of his crimes, and the investigation was flawed from the outset. Nevertheless, we will continue our work to ensure that Rebekah gets her day in court, and that Lee Chatfield will be brought to justice for sexual assault.
This is not only a crushing day for Rebekah Chatfield, but also for the movement to protecting children from sexual abuse. But Rebekah is a woman of faith and firmly believes everything happens for a reason.
We urge the Michigan legislature to review and amend existing laws to better protect children from abuse, and we implore the governor, all individuals across the country to take a strong look at what children mean to us, and to what extent we will hold people who take advantage of children accountable."
Two people who were top aides to Chatfield when he ran the House were charged last year with crimes, including embezzlement from nonprofit funds created for political purposes. Rob and Anne Minard have pleaded not guilty.