LANSING, Mich. — Two former staffers for former speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Lee Chatfield have been bound over for trial on a slew of embezzlement charges.
Anne and Robert Minard are accused of misappropriating funds from three non-profits and a Political Action Committee tied to Chatfield.
On Thursday, Sept. 12, the Minards were bound over for trial by Chief Judge Molly Hennessey Greenwalt of the 54B District Court in East Lansing.
The two are accused of stealing more than $600,000 from non-profit organizations and independent political action committees, court documents revealed.
In December of 2023, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued multiple charges against the couple as well as additional charges individually. The two 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 - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, 5-year felonies;
- One Count of False Pretenses - $20,000 or more but less than $50,000, a 15-year felony;
- One Count of Embezzlement - $100,000 or more; a 20-year felony; and
- One Count of Filing a False Tax Return; a 5-year felony.
Anne Minard, 37, was also charged individually with:
- Two Counts of Embezzlement - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 from a non-profit or charitable organization, a 10-year felony; and
- Two Counts of False Pretenses - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, each 5-year felonies.
And Rob Minard, 47, was also charged individually with:
- One count of False Pretenses - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, a 5-year felony.
“The Minards engaged in a vast, complex scheme of fraud, and through this deception, stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from non-profits and political action committees,” Nessel said. “My department is pleased to see this case progress and remains committed to pursuing political operatives who violate the law for their own personal gain.”
The Minards are scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 25.
Chatfield is also facing multiple embezzlement charges, including conducting a criminal enterprise. He pleaded not guilty to the 13 felony charges he faces.
