Former Michigan House speaker slated for Sept. 21 trial amid accusations of misusing political funds

Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield faces 13 felony charges, including criminal enterprise and several embezzlement counts, related to the misuse of funds from political action committees and the Peninsula Fund. The investigation originally began in December 2021 after a sexual assault report filed by Chatfield’s sister-in-law; later, the focus expanded to financial misconduct. Chatfield has pleaded not guilty to the charges, while his wife, Stephanie, previously pleaded guilty to embezzling from the Peninsula Fund.