Former Michigan House Speaker and His Wife Headed to Trial on Felony Charges

A high-profile power couple on the Michigan political scene is facing trial. Lee Chatfield, the former Michigan House Speaker, and his wife, Stephanie, were officially bound over for trial by an East Lansing district court judge on Friday morning. The development came after more than a year of the first charges being brought and represents a major step forward in a situation that has caused a lot of disconcert in Michigan politics.

Lee Chatfield, who is known for being a powerful figure in the state due to his Republican party affiliation, is accused of multiple serious crimes like bribery and some cases of theft. In a case of a conviction for the most severe crime, he could spend up to 20 years in prison.

His wife, Stephanie Chatfield, is also facing some legal issues. She has been charged with the offense of two felonies: embezzlement of a non-profit organization and involvement in concealing it. Each count of the crime has a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.

The Attorney General’s office of Michigan reports that the Chatfields exploited funds from political action committees for the campaigns they themselves were running; the PACs that were used are The Chatfield Majority Fund, The Chatfield Majority Fund 2, and the charity labeled The Peninsula Fund. Prosecutors claim that the couple had spent the money on their private expenses such as their trips and credit card bills.

Although they are accused of serious offenses, both Lee and Stephanie continue to deny the allegations.

Stephanie’s lawyer Matt Newburg said in a written statement that the evidence against her is rather weak. He indicated that the court called the proof “thin” to describe her role. Moreover, he expressed his concern about the political biasness of the case and declared that he would uncover the entire truth during the trial.

Since April 2024, the Gong family story has been the subject of a police investigation on the North Coast. Anne and Rob Minard, the former Chatfield aides, are involved in a case that is of a different but related nature and which has already gone to court.
In her opinion binding the Chatfields over for trial, District Court Judge, the 54B District Court Judge Molly Hennessey Greenwalt wrote that there were sufficient grounds to suppose that the crimes were committed especially with regards to taking of the Peninsula Fund and Chatfield Majority Funds by embezzlement.

Mary Chartier, defense attorney for Lee Chatfield, admitted that they were prepared for a decision like Friday’s, but on the other hand, she was very critical of the case brought by the state by saying, “We fully anticipated the case would be bound over not because the Attorney General’s case is strong, but because the legal threshold at this stage is so low,” she added.

Chartier pointed out that the real challenge will occur during the trial when the weight of the evidence will be much heavier and they believe they can challenge the prosecution that is carried out for political reasons. She announced that she would subpoena the both current and past politicians including the Attorney General to testify under oath.

The other prosecution hearing will be held in the 30th Circuit Court of Ingham County on June 11 where both of the accused are to appear. As this case, which is highly politically motivated, proliferates, it will become a subject of wide interest in the state.