LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Stephanie Chatfield, the wife of former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, pleaded guilty to one felony count of embezzlement from a nonprofit organization.
“Personal slush fund.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Chatfield will serve a term of probation to be determined by the court. After she successfully completes probation, prosecutors will dismiss the remaining charges against her.
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Chatfield is scheduled for sentencing on July 20.
“Nonprofits and 501(c)(4) organizations are meant to support the public welfare and well-being; they’re not a personal slush fund for the politically connected,” Nessel said. “These are strictly regulated accounts, and that regulation relies, in part, on honest operations and truthful financial reporting. When public oversight fails to hold operators accountable to their mission and donors, my office will act to protect the public interest, including, when necessary, by securing criminal convictions such as this one.”
A two-year legal battle.
Prosecutors charged Chatfield and her husband in April 2024 with embezzlement. The charges carried a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years. While Stephanie Chatfield has now pleaded guilty and will be sentenced in July, Lee Chatfield continues to fight the charges and is scheduled to stand trial later this year.
Prosecutors accused the couple of misusing political funds, alleging they spent money from political accounts on personal travel and other expenses.
The Minards.
In December, two former staffers for the ex-speaker received sentences for their roles in the broader corruption case.
Rob and Anne Minard accepted plea deals last fall and agreed to testify in Lee Chatfield’s upcoming trial. Prosecutors allege Lee Chatfield illegally used nonprofit funds to cover personal expenses.
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A judge sentenced Anne Minard to three years of probation and barred her from leaving the state without permission. If she violates the terms of her probation, she will serve six months in jail.
Rob Minard received the same probation terms. However, if he violates probation, he could face the full penalty of up to 15 years in prison.
The Peninsula Fund, the nonprofit at the center of the case, is now defunct, making restitution moot.
