Former Michigan House Speaker Aide Pleads Guilty, Agrees Testify Against Lee Chatfield

Anne Minard, a former staffer and fundraiser connected to ex-Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, pleaded guilty to two felony charges: embezzlement of funds ranging between $1,000 and $20,000 from a nonprofit PAC called the Peninsula Fund, and filing a false tax return. In exchange for her plea, which dropped ten other charges including criminal conspiracy, Minard agreed to testify truthfully against Chatfield and his wife in their upcoming trial scheduled for September 2026. Minard is also required to pay full restitution to the Michigan Department of Treasury and faces a suspended six-month jail sentence with probation and fines, with sentencing set for December 3. Meanwhile, Chatfield faces multiple felony charges related to embezzlement, conspiracy, and misuse of state and nonprofit funds for personal expenses, including luxury items and entertainment. Anne Minard's testimony is expected to be pivotal in the case against Chatfield and his wife, who were bound over to stand trial on these charges earlier this year. Her plea deal reflects cooperation with Attorney General Dana Nessel's office as the investigation into the misuse of nonprofit funds continues.