Former Michigan Home speaker beneath investigation for legal operation: Report

Former Michigan Home Speaker Lee Chatfield (R) is reportedly dealing with a sprawling investigation for an alleged "legal enterprise."

The investigation was opened in January and entails alleged embezzlement, marketing campaign finance violations, bribery, tax evasion, misconduct in workplace, and possession of managed substances, in line with affidavits obtained by Detroit News. Chatfield has denied the allegations.

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"It's alleged that Chatfield, together with others engaged in a legal enterprise, which included embezzlement, marketing campaign finance violations, bribery, the use, possession and supply of managed substances, misconduct in workplace, and revenue tax evasion," acknowledged an affidavit dated April 6, in line with the Detroit News.

To date, no legal costs have been issued within the matter. Chatfield served in Michigan's legislature from 2015 till early 2021. He served as speaker over the past two years of his time within the legislature. His lawyer has dismissed the allegations in opposition to him.

"Affidavits could be primarily based on rumors, hypothesis, and outright falsehoods informed to the police," Lee Chatfield's lawyer, Mary Chartier, informed the Washington Examiner. "Mr. Chatfield is assured that an unbiased and goal view of the proof will present that he has dedicated no crime."

Chatfield's brother, Aaron, informed investigators that he received cash from Lee Chatfield's political operations regardless of not doing "any work" for him, one affidavit claimed, per the report. One of many affidavits additionally reportedly accused Aaron Chatfield of distributing the prescription drug Adderall to 2 lobbyists "20 to 30 instances."

The spouse of Aaron Chatfield, Rebekah Chatfield, beforehand accused the previous speaker of sexually abusing her. He has denied the allegation and maintained that he had a consensual affair together with her. Authorities started analyzing Lee Chatfield's alleged legal conduct shortly after Rebekah Chatfield went public with the allegations in opposition to him in January.

Rebekah Chatfield's lawyer insists she has been cooperating with investigators and supplied data to authorities. She reportedly informed authorities that she and her husband would get checks from a political advisor for Lee Chatfield.

"The cashed checks coincided with journeys Chatfield took with Aaron Chatfield, and others, to Detroit, Miami, Las Vegas, Aspen or the Bahamas," one of many affidavits defined, per the report. "Rebekah Chatfield believed the cash was utilized by (Lee) Chatfield to pay for lodge rooms, journey, prostitutes, and managed substances."

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A earlier evaluation by Detroit News concluded that accounts linked to Lee Chatfield funneled some $900,000 in political and different funding towards members of the family and staffers.