Chatfield charges: MI officials want transparency laws

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – State lawmakers are calling for big changes after Lee Chatfield, the former speaker of the house, was charged with embezzlement.

Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are urging for more security around campaign finance laws.

This follows 13 charges that were announced against Chatfield on Tuesday for allegedly using nonprofit funds for personal use for things like paying off credit cards and going on vacation.

“And as I read through the charges and and outrageous revelations surrounding this case, what was clear to me, is that this culture of corruption has to end. Our citizens want it to end and they deserve for all of us to ensure that it does come to an end,” Benson said.

Nessel and Benson said they’re looking to “close gaps” and prevent things like this from happening again with two specific bills included in the Bringing Reforms in Integrity, Transparency, and Ethics (BRITE) Act.

The two bills, House Bill 5583 and House Bill 5586 heard testimony in the House Ethics and Oversight Committee meeting on Thursday.

Supporters said the bills look to allow the secretary of state to seek a court order to stop illegal activities and establish a one-year cooling period for elected officials before they can serve as lobbyists.

“The package of legislation is a significant step in the right direction to improve transparency and accountability in our state. The bills will curtail the influence of lobbying and special financial interests and enable better enforcement of disclosure and ethics requirements,” Benson added.

Meanwhile, the attorney general continued and said it’s crucial to win back the trust of the community.

“What these bills provide is a start. A solid, earnest, serious effort towards the goal of ending corrosive forces of Michigan government and allowing a path forward to earn back the trust of the public,” Nessel said.

The two said that they’re hoping this legislation takes Michigan from “worst to first” when it comes to campaign finance laws.

At a news conference on Wednesday, state Republicans criticized the BRITE Act. House Minority Leader Matt Hall said that he doesn’t think the laws will “do anything.”

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