Fmr. MI House Speaker Lee Chatfield, wife Stephanie plead not guilty

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The former Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield and his wife Stephanie Chatfield were arraigned Thursday morning over Zoom just two weeks after being charged with several felonies.

Both have entered pleas of not guilty. The judge has set a probable cause hearing for June 6 and a preliminary examination for June 13.

During Thursday’s hearing the prosecution did ask for the Chatfields to turn over their passports due to recent travel outside of the United States. Each of the Chatfield’s lawyers argued the two are not flight risks. The judge ruled the pair must give up their passports and report any travel out of state.

The judge ruled Lee Chatfield is to remain free on a $100,000 personal recognizance bond. The judge gave Stephani Chatfield a $50,000 personal recognizance bond and said she will also remain free.

On April 16 Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced 13 criminal charges against former Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield.

Attorney General Dana Nessel alleges Chatfield used nonprofit funds for personal uses, including paying off credit cards and funding “lavish” vacations including trips to Universal Studios in Orlando, Las Vegas and the Bahamas.

He is accused of embezzlement by a public official. Nessel said he submitted paperwork for when he went to and from his district and got reimbursement for travel expenses even when he was not traveling.

Lee Chatfield has been charged with the following:

• One count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony;

• Four counts of Embezzlement from a Non-Profit Organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine;

• Three counts of Embezzlement by a Public Officer Over $50, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $5,000 fine;

• One count of Conspiracy to Commit Embezzlement from a Non-Profit Organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine and an additional $10,000 fine;

• Three counts of Embezzlement, $1,000-$20,000, a felony punishable by 5 years incarceration and/or a $10,000 fine; and

• One count of a Felony Violation of the Charitable Trust Act, a felony punishable by 5 years incarceration and/or a $10,000 fine.

Stephanie Chatfield has been charged with one count each of the following:

• Embezzlement from a Non-Profit Organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine; and

• Conspiracy to Commit Embezzlement from a Non-Profit Organization, $1,000 to $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years incarceration and/or a $15,000 fine and an additional $10,000 fine.

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