GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Traci Kornak, a Grand Rapids attorney charged with embezzling money from an elderly mentally challenged woman, often named dropped being best friends with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. That’s according to House Oversight Committee testimony investigating Kornak’s conduct.

The Kent County Prosecutor’s Office charged Kornak last week with embezzlement. Kornak was the court-appointed conservator for Rose Burd, who died in April 2025.

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During testimony from the oversight hearing, the state of Michigan’s Adult Protective Services released the investigator’s notes. The investigator was looking into concerns Kornak was taking advantage of Burd.

At one point, Burd showed a caregiver named Jennifer a financial statement that showed a $30,000 withdrawal that Burd was not aware of. As Jennifer was looking at the statement, Kornak walked in and grabbed it out of her hand and said, “Give that to me! You don’t need that. That’s mine.”

The investigator’s notes stated, “Jennifer said that Traci often talks about her status and that she’s best friends with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Jennifer doesn’t know why Traci does that but said she talks about it very often.”

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has been accused of a conflict of interest by Republicans on the House Oversight Committee. That’s because Nessel asked to be kept informed on the case involving Kornak, who served on her transition team and was also at one time the treasurer of the state’s Democratic Party.

Nessel’s office had two separate divisions investigate Kornak and did not file any charges.

Whitmer’s office didn’t respond to an email seeking comment.