Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield Charged with Embezzlement and Leading Criminal Enterprise

Lee Chatfield faces multiple felony charges, including embezzlement and conducting a criminal enterprise, stemming from a years-long investigation.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges against Lee Chatfield, highlighting misuse of public and private funds to support a lavish lifestyle.
The investigation revealed Chatfield used campaign and nonprofit funds for personal expenses, including a $32,000 trip to the Bahamas and luxury purchases.
Chatfield and his wife, Stephanie, face serious legal consequences, with potential decades-long prison sentences if convicted.
Legal defenses claim the charges are politically motivated, vowing to contest them vigorously.
The case highlights broader issues of corruption among state House speakers, with several similar cases noted over recent years.