Former Michigan House Speaker’s Wife Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement
Stephanie Chatfield, the wife of former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, has admitted to embezzling funds from a political nonprofit associated with her husband. The plea deal allows Stephanie Chatfield to avoid jail time and instead serve probation.
Embezzlement Admission
Stephanie Chatfield confessed to taking between $200 and $1,000 from the Peninsula Fund, a now-defunct political nonprofit used by her husband to raise tens of thousands of dollars in donations. The specific donors contributing to the fund were not disclosed.
Legal Consequences
As part of the plea agreement, two more serious embezzlement charges against Stephanie Chatfield will be dropped upon completion of her sentence. A Lansing judge will determine her punishment on July 20.
Previous Allegations
In 2024, the Michigan Attorney General’s office accused the Chatfields of using funds from the Peninsula Fund to support a lavish personal lifestyle. Additionally, consultants Rob and Anne Minard were implicated for misusing funds and accepted their own plea agreement last year.
Attorney General’s Statement
Attorney General Dana Nessel emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of nonprofits, stating, “When public oversight fails to hold their operators accountable to their mission, and their donors, my office will act to maintain public integrity, including, when necessary, by securing criminal convictions such as this one.”
Remaining Charges
While Stephanie Chatfield has settled her case, Lee Chatfield is still facing 14 felonies and one misdemeanor count related to allegations of conducting a criminal enterprise and embezzlement.
Legal Representation
Mary Chartier, Lee Chatfield’s lawyer, commented on Stephanie Chatfield’s plea agreement, calling it a “thoughtful and reasonable one based on the facts and circumstances of the case.” Lee Chatfield is scheduled for a motion hearing on July 22.
