LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — One other prime aide to former Speaker of the Michigan Home of Representatives Lee Chatfield was convicted Thursday after pleading responsible to expenses associated to the misappropriation of funds from nonprofits and political motion committees (PACs) tied to the previous speaker.
Rob Minard, of Bathtub Township, was initially charged alongside his spouse Anne Minard, 38, in December 2024, with each dealing with expenses of embezzlement, tax fraud, three counts of false pretenses, conspiracy to conduct a prison enterprise, and conducting a prison enterprise.
FILE. Rob Minard in court docket. (WLNS)
Anne confronted two extra counts of embezzlement and two extra counts of false pretenses. Robert confronted a further cost of false pretenses.
The couple operated a consulting agency and quite a few political nonprofits whereas working for Chatfield and have been accused of financially exploiting these organizations and misappropriating greater than $500,000.
The couple initially pleaded not responsible. Nevertheless, Thursday, Michigan Lawyer Common Dana Nessel introduced Rob pleaded responsible to 1 depend of larceny by false pretenses for stealing funds from the PAC Working Collectively for a Higher Michigan and its political candidates and one depend of submitting a false tax return.
This plea was below the situation that he offers truthful testimony in future hearings and pays full restitution to the Michigan Division of Treasury. Rob is subsequent anticipated to seem in court docket for sentencing on Dec. 17.
In late October, Anne additionally pleaded responsible to embezzling greater than $1,000 however lower than $20,000 from a nonprofit or charitable group and submitting a false tax return — with the situations that she offers truthful testimony and pays full restitution.
She is predicted to seem in Ingham County thirtieth Circuit Courtroom for sentencing Dec. 3.
Officers instructed 6 Information that investigation into Chatfield and the Minards started after Chatfield’s former sister-in-law Rebekah Chatfield filed a prison grievance accusing the previous Speaker of the Home of sexually assaulting her, starting when she was a pupil on the small Christian academy run by Chatfield’s father, the place Chatfield himself labored as a trainer.
Her former husband, Aaron Chatfield, offered extra details about potential abuses of marketing campaign finance legal guidelines, which have been investigated by the Division of Lawyer Common.
In the meantime, prosecutors are accusing Chatfield and his spouse, Stephanie Chatfield, of utilizing political accounts for issues similar to journey, housing, and different advantages by misusing Chatfield’s multimillion-dollar Peninsula Fund.
Michigan stories the Chatfields are scheduled to move to trial Sept. 21, 2026, having waived their proper to a speedy trial resulting from scheduling conflicts.
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