(Source: MIRS.news, Published 09/22/2022) The Michigan State Police questioned "the oddity" of documentation kept by former House Speaker Lee Chatfield's family's school and found the former Speaker deleted text messages on his phone.
The information is outlined in a redacted MSP report released Thursday to MIRS via a public records request regarding the investigation into allegations Chatfield sexually assaulted his sister-in-law, Rebekah Chatfield, while she was a student and he was the athletic director at the Northern Michigan Christian Academy School.
The non-redacted report was turned over to the Attorney General's office in August, Spl/Lt. Derrick Carroll, public information officer for the Seventh District in Gaylord, said.
The AG's office declined to comment, citing its ongoing investigation.
Rebekah Chatfield's attorney, Jamie White, previously said there are unspecified financial allegations involving Lee Chatfield, who left office in 2020 due to term limits.
Lee Chatfield claims he had an "affair" with Rebekah Chatfield that began when she was an adult, but he denies the rape allegation.
According to the MSP report, the investigation included interviews with several Chatfield family members, including Rebekah Chatfield and her husband, Aaron Chatfield, as well as brother Paul Chatfield and the former Speaker's wife, Stephanie Chatfield.
The report indicates that the siblings and their wives were questioned about Rebekah Chatfield and Lee Chatfield's relationship, including how they learned about the relationship and their thoughts on the allegations.
The names are redacted, but based on the visible portions of the report, Stephanie Chatfield, who has publicly defended her husband, saying he had an affair, described the allegations as "character assassination." She also paints a picture that the allegations were possibly made from bitterness or jealousy, noting that because her husband's brother "worked for him until he became the Speaker of the House, when rules dictated that family members could no longer work for Lee."
Stephanie Chatfield also shared that she and her husband argued, stating "(redacted) and Lee flirted with each other in front of her."
Lee Chatfield's attorney, Mary Chartier, spoke for her client, responding to questions via email on behalf of her client.
MSP redacted the portions relating to Rebekah Chatfield and her husband's interviews, but one note, in Aaron Chatfield's interview, noted that it pertained only to the allegations against his brother, and a separate AG report would detail other allegations discussed.
The report also notes preservation requests to Snap Inc., for "records and other evidence" as well as discussions of investigators' efforts during search warrants, including speaking to the "superintendent/NMBBC pastor," who indicated that he "doesn't keep personnel records at all." When asked whether he documented employees' Social Security numbers or kept information for tax purposes, the pastor "held up his hand and stated, 'That's what worries me,'" the report noted.
Other employees, identified by their position including secretary, principal, and athletic director/teacher, told police that personnel records were not their responsibility.
A detective sergeant wrote in his report that he and another sergeant "discussed the oddity of not having information on site pertaining to the staff" and discussed the need for information on employee background checks, which are required. Two employees told the sergeant that "they had never had a background check."
The officers were, however, able to seize documents related to a student, whose name is redacted as well as yearbooks for 2006-2015 and the late 1990s, and "personnel records for (redacted) student Lee Chatfield." That student is arguably Rebekah Chatfield.
Officers also seized computers and cell phone, noting that Lansing Police Department "found all text messages, except group text, with Lee Chatfield had been deleted." The report notes messages sent on March 30, 2021; May 11, 2016; and Sept. 11, 2021, but redacts the receiver.
Among the information downloaded, was something titled, "Questions to ask attorney" dated Dec. 19, 2021. The majority of the message is redacted, but the visible portion shows the message is likely from Rebekah Chatfield as it notes: "Could I walk in FBI in Boston & Boston P.D. & report to them. Sexual assault unit."
Another message reads:
"Nicole – sinas dramis law firm – lawyer calling this afternoon
"Don't have power to persecute on criminal side – usually
"done through elected officials when needed on their time."
