Copyright M Live Michigan
INGHAM COUNTY, MI – The chief of staff to former House Speaker Lee Chatfield pleaded guilty to felony charges related to misappropriating funds from groups tied to Chatfield. Rob Minard, 48, of Clinton County’s Bath Township, has agreed to provide truthful testimony as part of a plea agreement, state Attorney General Dana Nessel said. Related: Ex-House speaker funded lavish lifestyle with nonprofit ‘dark money,’ prosecutors say He pleaded guilty Thursday, Nov. 7, to larceny by false pretenses - $20,000 or more but less than $50,000 - for taking funds from Working Together for a Better Michigan, an independent political action committee, and the political candidates who were supposed to be assisted by the PAC. He also pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return. He entered the pleas before Ingham County Circuit Judge James Jamo. Sentencing is Dec. 17. Minard was originally charged with multiple felonies, including conducting a criminal enterprise. His wife, Anne Minard, 38, last month pleaded guilty to embezzling $1,000 to $20,000 from the Peninsula Fund and filing a false tax return. She is set for sentencing on Dec. 3. She also agreed to testify. The Minards will also be required to pay restitution. Chatfield, R-Levering, awaits trial for allegedly misusing state, campaign and non-profit funds. His wife, Stephanie Chatfield, also awaits trial. Nessel said previously: “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.” Lee Chatfield, 35, faces four counts of embezzlement from a nonprofit, three counts of embezzlement by a public officer over $50, three counts of embezzlement, conducting a criminal enterprise, conspiracy to embezzle from a nonprofit, and violating the Charitable Trust Act. Stephanie Chatfield, 37, is charged with embezzlement from a nonprofit and conspiracy to commit embezzlement from a nonprofit. Trial is set for September. The Minards were senior advisors and close friends to Chatfield, the House speaker in 2019 and 2020. Anne Minard was the Republican majority’s director of external affairs.
