Chatfields to Stand Trial on Multiple Felony Charges for Embezzling, Misappropriating Funds

LANSING – Today, former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Lee Chatfield, 35, of Levering, was bound over to stand trial in Ingham County’s 30th Circuit Court on multiple felony charges for allegedly enriching himself by misusing state, campaign, and non-profit funds, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Lee’s wife, Stephanie Chatfield, also of Levering, was bound over to stand trial on two felony charges. 

“Our investigation uncovered extensive evidence of elaborate schemes to embezzle and misappropriate private and public funds to bankroll Lee Chatfield’s lifestyle during his time as Speaker of the House,” Nessel said. “I am glad to see this case finally move forward to a trial in Circuit Court. My office will continue to pursue public corruption with every tool at our disposal and push for stronger transparency and good governance in our state.”

Lee Chatfield is alleged to have illegally converted to his own personal use funds from the 501(c)(4) Peninsula Fund, his own electoral political action committees – The Chatfield Majority Fund and The Chatfield Majority Fund 2 – and the state budget of the Michigan House of Representatives. The State alleges Lee used non-profit funds to pay off personal credit card expenses, sought improper mileage reimbursements from the House of Representatives for district-to-Lansing travel that never occurred, implemented a check kickback scheme to move PAC money through staff and back to his pocket, and sublet an apartment, paid for by the Peninsula Fund, for his own profit. 

In April 2024, Attorney General Nessel charged Lee Chatfield with: 

• One count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony;
• Four counts of Embezzlement from a Non-Profit Organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years’ incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine;
• Three counts of Embezzlement by a Public Officer Over $50, a felony punishable by 10 years’ incarceration and/or a $5,000 fine;
• One count of Conspiracy to Commit Embezzlement from a Non-Profit Organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years’ incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine and an additional $10,000 fine;
• Three counts of Embezzlement, $1,000-$20,000, a felony punishable by 5 years’ incarceration and/or a $10,000 fine; and
• One count of a Felony Violation of the Charitable Trust Act, a felony punishable by 5 years’ incarceration and/or a $10,000 fine. 

Stephanie Chatfield faces one count each of: 

• Embezzlement from a Non-Profit Organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years’ incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine; and
• Conspiracy to Commit Embezzlement from a Non-Profit Organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years’ incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine and an additional $10,000 fine. 

A pretrial date has yet to be set.