Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has charged former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield with 13 felonies for “orchestrating a scheme of self-enrichment against state, campaign, and non-profit funds,” according to her office.
Nessel announced the charges Tuesday.
“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 a state salary could not possibly afford,” Nessel said. “This included luxury shopping, fine dining, and extended vacations in swanky hotels in various exotic locations.
Nessel says Chatfield is alleged to have illegally converted to his own personal use funds from the 501C4 Peninsula Fund, his own electoral political action committees, the Chatfield Majority Fund, and The Chatfield Majority Fund 2, as well as the state budget of the Michigan House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Chatfield’s attorney says the charges are political, punishing Chatfield for being a major Republican fundraiser.
