Former Michigan House Speaker's Associates Charged with Embezzling $525K

Former staffers for Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, Rob and Anne Minard, have been charged with embezzlement and conducting a criminal enterprise. The charges allege that the couple misappropriated funds from multiple entities, including social welfare non-profit organizations and campaign committees. Prosecutors claim that the Minards financially exploited and defrauded these entities through improper reimbursements, double billing, misrepresenting expenses, and falsifying records. The investigation into Chatfield, who left office in 2020, remains ongoing, and additional individuals are under investigation. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel criticized the state's weak campaign finance and political disclosure laws, calling for legislative changes to prevent future misconduct.