Former Michigan House speaker, wife return to court on embezzlement charges
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Former Michigan State House Speaker Lee Chatfield and his wife are in court this week for preliminary hearings related to alleged financial crimes.
Former Michigan House leader and wife charged with misusing political funds
The hearings, which are being held in East Lansing, will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to a trial. They stem from charges filed in by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Lee Chatfield faces 13 embezzlement-related charges, all of which are felonies. Stephanie Chatfield faces two felony charges.
Investigators say that Lee Chatfield used funds from the Peninsula Fund and his electoral political action committees to pay off personal credit card expenses, implemented a check kickback scheme and filed mileage reimbursements from the House of Representatives for travel that never occurred.
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'Our investigation has uncovered evidence that Lee Chatfield used various different schemes to embezzle, steal and convert both private and public monies to fund a lavish lifestyle that his state salary could not possibly afford,' .
In , investigators documented how Lee Chatfield allegedly used a system involving Anne and Robert Minard, two top aides, to send money back and forth to cover costs stemming from trips to Las Vegas, the Bahamas and Universal Studios in Orlando.
Lee Chatfield faces 13 charges in all — including one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
He also faces four counts of embezzlement from a nonprofit organization ($1,000 to $20,000), one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement from a nonprofit organization ($1,000 to $20,000), three counts of embezzlement by a public officer over $50, three counts of embezzlement ($1,000 to $20,000) and one count of violating the Charitable Trust Act. Those charges carry sentences anywhere from five to 10 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.
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Stephanie Chatfield faces one count of embezzlement from a nonprofit organization ($1,000 to $20,000) and one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement from a nonprofit organization ($1,000 to $20,000). Those charges come with a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.
Both Chatfields to all charges last June. They both posted bond — $50,000 for Stephanie and $100,000 for Lee — but were required to turn over their passports and report any out-of-state travel to the court.
The Minards also face multiple felony charges for their role in the alleged embezzlement scheme. They were in Ingham County last September.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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