Up North Progressive

It seems only a year ago that a former Republican Speaker of the State House was found guilty of taking bribes for medical marijuana dispensary licenses. That’s because it is! Today, Attorney General Dana Nessel read the charges against Lee Chatfield and his wife in Lansing. Both are charged with misusing social welfare account contributions and stealing from taxpayers. Happy crooked Republican Speaker of the House anniversary!

Lee Chatfield was charged 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 was charged with:

• 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.

The flaccid Michigan Campaign Finance Act makes it easy for politicians to receive contributions and use them any way they want. Chatfield’s 501(c)(4), The Peninsula Fund, was not so much a social welfare fund but Lee and Stephanie’s personal slush fund. They used voters’ donations to go to Vegas, Universal Orlando, the Bahamas, and Maine. They bought expensive gifts and wine and paid off $132,000 in personal credit card expenses.

The Michigan Automobile Dealers Association, a lobbying firm headed by Terry Burns, also provided Lee Chatfield with a $775 monthly apartment rented from Walnut Tree Properties. Chatfield sublet one of the bedrooms for $250.00 per month and, as Speaker of the State House, had control over the bills he put up for a vote.

Kickbacks, embezzlement, charging Michigan taxpayers over twelve grand for miles he never drove. Lee Chatfield used his position and power to enrich himself and his family financially. Never forget that Chatfield got involved in politics because his state rep, Frank Foster, was going to vote in favor of including LGBTQ people in the Elliot-Larson Civil Rights Act. That video of him handcuffed at the Pellston airport after he tried to board a plane with a loaded, unregistered handgun still holds up for high entertainment value.

Michigan campaign finance needs an overhaul. So does our state legislature. Vote the rest of the MAGA bastards out in 2024.