LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Two staffers who worked for former Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield have received multiple criminal charges by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. 

“With today’s charges, we allege that Anne and Rob Minard didn’t just skirt around Michigan’s anemic regulation of political spending, but knowingly, willingly and overtly violated the law for their own personal enrichment,” said Nessel during a press conference. “We believe that the Minards financially exploited and defrauded these entities through a sophisticated pattern of improper reimbursements, double billing, misrepresenting expenses, and falsifying records.”

What are the main charges?

MORE NEWS: Will Kamala’s Hustle for Michigan’s Black Vote Be Enough to Close the Deal?

The pair were charged with: one count of conducting a Criminal Enterprise (a 20 year felony), one count of Conspiracy to Conduct a Criminal Enterprise (a 20 year felony), three counts of False Pretenses (a $1,000 up to $20,000 fine and 15 year felony), one count of embezzlement ($100,000.00 or more and a 20 year felony), and one count of filing a  False Tax Returns (a 5 year felony). 

“While our pending major public integrity investigations have not yet concluded, the facts of this case serve to reinforce how the current laws regulating non-profit political action committees are woefully inadequate to ensure the integrity of Michigan’s political operations,” AG Nessel said at the conference. “It is incumbent upon the legislature to act swiftly in enacting significant changes to create transparency and reduce the pervasive malfeasance which erodes public trust and accountability in our state government.”

What are the additional charges?

Anne Minard was also charged individually with two counts of embezzlement ($1,000 to $20,000 from a nonprofit or charitable organization; a 10 year felony). She was also charged with two counts of false pretenses ($1,000 up to $20,000 fine and 5 year felonies). Additionally, Rob Minard was charged individually with an additional count of False Pretenses ($1,000 to $20,000 fine and 5 year felony). 

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson also commented on the embezzlement charges sharing her gratitude to Attorney General Nessel for her “outstanding work to seek accountability for all who abuse the public’s trust.” 

“Michigan’s inadequate government ethics laws leave us vulnerable to abuses like those alleged in the charges announced today,” Sec. Benson said in a statement. “We know Michigan voters want better transparency and accountability from their leaders. I look forward to working with the Attorney General to enact real reforms that can ensure and restore the public’s faith in their elected leaders and in our democratic system.”

Lee Chatfield is still under investigation.

Former Speaker Chatfield has been under investigation since allegations of sexual assault by his sister-in-law came to light last year. The investigation is still ongoing. 

MORE NEWS: Detroit Settles with Police and Fire Pension Board on 30-Year Plan for Deferred Payments

According to the affidavits, the couple served on the staff for Chatfield after he was promoted from Speaker Pro Tem to the Speaker of the House in his second term, January 2019 through December 2020. 

“Robert and Anne Minard continued to be employed in the Michigan House of Representatives throughout Chatfield’s tenure in office which culminated in Robert serving as Chatfield’s Chief of Staff during the time Chatfield was Speaker,” the affidavit said. “Anne Minard served as Chatfield’s Director of External Affairs during the time Chatfield was Speaker.” 

AG Nessel also alleged that between the years 2018 to 2020 the Minards “wrongfully embezzled, misappropriated, or wrongfully obtained a sum of at least $525,000.”  

On Jan. 3, 2024 the couple will appear at the District Court in Ingham County for arraignment.