Former Michigan House staffers enter not guilty pleas in embezzlement cases

East Lansing — Anne and Rob Minard, two senior staffers for former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to an array of criminal charges that allege they misused hundreds of thousands of dollars in political and nonprofit money.

A married couple from Bath, the Minards were arraigned in Ingham County District Court. They previously rose to political prominence as Chatfield, a Republican lawmaker from Levering, gained power in Lansing. Chatfield was the House speaker, the top position in the state House, in 2019 and 2020 before departing because of term limits.

Anne Minard, who was Chatfield's political fundraiser and director of external affairs in the House, faces 12 felony charges, including three counts of embezzlement and one count of conducting a criminal enterprise, brought by Attorney General Dana Nessel's office. Rob Minard, who was Chatfield's chief of staff and a political adviser, faces nine charges.

Nessel has been investigating Chatfield's use of contributions he collected since January 2022. She charged the Minards with embezzlement and other crimes on Dec. 21, saying they took advantage of the state's weak transparency laws to enrich themselves, wrongfully obtaining $525,000.

Appearing in court in East Lansing for the first time Wednesday, Anne Minard's lawyer, Gerald Gleeson, and Rob Minard's lawyer, Bob Harrison, asked Judge Lisa Babcock to enter not guilty pleas on their clients' behalves.

Afterward, Harrison said he was waiting to receive the evidence that the Attorney General's office had gathered against his client.

"There's not much I can really comment on about anything at this point," Harrison said.

Asked if prosecutors could be attempting to get Rob Minard to cooperate in the ongoing investigation against Chatfield, Harrison acknowledged that's a typical tactic that happens.

"We all know that Chatfield is supposedly targeted," Harrison said. "But there are other ways they could do that."

Harrison said the Attorney General's office could have invited Anne and Rob Minard to meet with investigators.

Gleeson declined Wednesday to discuss the charges against Anne Minard with reporters.

Chatfield hasn't been charged with any wrongdoing. His attorney, Mary Chartier, has previously said an objective review of the allegations will result in no charges being issued against Chatfield.

Chartier, said Wednesday the Minards "were hardworking and trusted colleagues and friends for years."

"Mr. Chatfield had no knowledge of any improper actions, and he still doesn’t," Chartier added. "Allegations are just that — allegations — and that is all that exists in these cases at this point."

The Minards are next scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 19. Babcock allowed the Minards to return to their home Wednesday through $50,000 personal recognizance bonds.

A 29-page affidavit that was filed by Nessel's office last month alleged that Anne and Rob Minard repeatedly used nonprofit organizations, which were tied to Chatfield, to boost their personal finances.

Officeholders in Michigan can raise money from secret contributors into nonprofit accounts and have to report only minor information about the funds' spending. Chatfield and the Minards were connected to four nonprofits while he served as speaker, raising at least $3.5 million from undisclosed donors over 2019 and 2020.

Anne Minard allegedly used the nonprofit accounts to cover tens of thousands of dollars in personal expenses, including purchases from trendy clothing retailers Spanx and Lululemon. The Minards also submitted expenditures for double reimbursements, keeping the extra money, according to the affidavit.

cmauger@detroitnews.com