The former leader of the Michigan House, Lee Chatfield, and his wife found themselves facing serious legal trouble on Tuesday as prosecutors charged them with multiple financial crimes. The charges allege that they exploited political accounts for personal gain, including using funds for personal travel, housing, and other benefits, all while Chatfield was in a powerful political position as a Republican lawmaker.
According to Attorney General Dana Nessel, Chatfield misused various political funds, including the Peninsula Fund, which functioned as an unregulated slush fund without the requirement to disclose donor names. The operation allegedly involved a family effort, with Chatfield’s wife, Stephanie, actively monitoring her husband’s credit card balance and using cash from the Peninsula Fund, amounting to $132,000 over a 14-month period, to settle outstanding balances.
One notable instance highlighted by Nessel involved Chatfield’s brother cashing a $5,000 check from a political fund in 2020 and returning $3,500 to Chatfield just before a vacation.
Over six years, Chatfield’s political funds reportedly amassed over $5 million, with more than $2 million raised in 2020 alone, his final year as speaker of the House.
The charges against Chatfield include conducting a criminal enterprise, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, as well as embezzlement. His wife, Stephanie, faces charges of embezzlement as well.
In response to the charges, Chatfield’s attorney, Mary Chartier, vowed to vigorously contest them, questioning the strength of the prosecution’s case after nearly two and a half years of investigation.
The investigation into Chatfield’s activities began in 2022 following allegations of sexual assault made by his sister-in-law, Rebekah Chatfield. While insufficient evidence was found to charge Chatfield based on those allegations, the investigation expanded to include other financial misconduct.
Nessel also emphasized the need for stronger anti-corruption laws in Michigan, highlighting the charges against Chatfield as evidence of the necessity for more stringent regulations.
The attorney general commended Rebekah Chatfield for her courage in coming forward with her allegations, acknowledging that her actions played a crucial role in bringing the charges against Lee Chatfield.
This case follows the charging of two top aides to Chatfield last year with crimes related to embezzlement from nonprofit funds created for political purposes, further underscoring the seriousness of the allegations and the breadth of the investigation into political corruption in Michigan.