(Source; MIRS.news, Published 12/08/2023) Attorney General Dana Nessel told the media Thursday that her office is working as “expeditiously as we possibly can” to get the campaign finance and sexual impropriety investigation into former House Speaker Lee Chatfield resolved.
Nearly two years ago, Chatfield was accused by his sister-of-law in a Bridge Michigan article of grooming her into having a sexual relationship with him when she was underage, which he vehemently denies.
Nessel was also looking into whether Chatfield improperly used his various campaign, political and nonprofit funds. In May, Nessel pledged a charging decision by the end of the year, according to Bridge.
On Thursday, Nessel said, “I don't have an exact date for you, but I can say it's going to be in short order.”
The questions on the first issue are the extent to which Rebekah Chatfield is pursuing criminal allegations and the extent to which her accounts can be supported 12 years later.
On the second matter, Nessel has potential state campaign finance violations she can explore. However, any non-profit accounts Chatfield possessed are governed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and not state law.
Nessel recently had to concede defeat on the Flint Water Crisis criminal prosecution, in which former Gov. Rick Snyder was charged. Assuring the evidence is strong enough to score a conviction may be a factor the Attorney General is keeping in mind as she assesses potential charges.
