LANSING, Mich. – Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield’s top aides have been sentenced for their roles in misappropriating funds from nonprofits and political action committees connected to him.
Rob and Anne Minard, close associates of Chatfield, worked for him during 2019-20 and ran a political consulting firm called Victor Strategies.
---> Former Michigan House Speaker associates accused of embezzling $525K over 2 years
The Minards were accused of exploiting nonprofits, advocacy groups, and others to enrich themselves illegally, earning $525,000 between 2018 and 2020. They were charged with 21 felonies in 2023.
The charges against the Minards stemmed from an investigation into Chatfield, who is set to stand trial for multiple felonies amid allegations of “rampant and flagrant” misuse of political nonprofit funds.
The investigation into Chatfield began in January 2022 when his sister-in-law accused him of sexually assaulting her.
Pleas, sentences
Anne Minard pleaded guilty in October to one count of embezzlement from a nonprofit organization for taking funds from the Peninsula Fund, and one count of filing a false tax return.
Robert Minard pleaded guilty in November to one count of larceny by false pretenses for stealing funds from Working Together for a Better Michigan, an independent political action committee, and one count of filing a false tax return.
As part of their plea agreements, 17 other felony charges were dismissed, and the Minards agreed to testify against Chatfield.
On Wednesday, Dec. 17, the Minards were sentenced to a six-month delayed sentence and 36 months of probation.
They also must pay full restitution to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
Chatfield is expected to stand trial in 2026.