The former Michigan House leader, Lee Chatfield, and his wife, Stephanie Chatfield, pleaded not guilty to financial charges related to the spending of money from unregulated political funds. Lee Chatfield, a Republican who served as speaker of the House in 2019 and 2020, is accused of using funds for personal travel, housing, and other benefits during his time in office. Investigators claim he utilized political funds created under federal law as tax-exempt social welfare organizations. Stephanie Chatfield allegedly monitored her husband’s credit card balance and used money from the Peninsula Fund to pay off $132,000 over a 14-month period.
Lee Chatfield is facing 13 charges, including conducting a criminal enterprise and embezzlement, while his wife, Stephanie Chatfield, is charged with embezzlement and conspiracy. Despite the charges, Lee Chatfield’s defense attorney, Mary Chartier, stated that he is looking forward to his day in court and is prepared to fight the accusations. Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, has raised concerns about the increase in “dark money” political funds in Michigan, involving both Democrats and Republicans. Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson have called for laws mandating public disclosure of such funds to increase transparency.
The Chatfields appeared in a Lansing-area court via video conference from Kentucky, where they planned to attend the Kentucky Derby. The charges against them were filed in April, with allegations that Lee Chatfield misused political funds for personal expenses while in office. Stephanie Chatfield’s involvement in monitoring and using the Peninsula Fund to pay off her husband’s credit card balance is also a focal point of the investigation. The couple maintain their innocence and have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Lee Chatfield’s legal team is gearing up to defend him against the accusations, including charges of embezzlement and conducting a criminal enterprise. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Chatfield remains optimistic about the legal process and is prepared to fight the charges in court. Attorney General Dana Nessel has highlighted the need for increased transparency in political funding, particularly in light of the prevalence of “dark money” political funds in Michigan involving both major political parties. The case involving the Chatfields sheds light on the challenges of regulating and monitoring political spending by elected officials.
In response to the charges against the Chatfields, there have been calls for greater public disclosure of political funds to ensure transparency and accountability in political spending. Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson have advocated for laws that would require public disclosure of political funds to prevent misuse and fraud. The case involving the Chatfields underscores the importance of enforcing stricter regulations on political spending to uphold integrity and trust in the democratic process. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome of the case will have implications for the regulation of political funds in Michigan and potentially beyond.
