A firm trial date has finally been set for Lee Chatfield and his wife, Stephanie Chatfield, who are facing charges of running a criminal enterprise and embezzling large sums of money from the former Michigan House speaker’s non-profit campaign and organizing funds.
The trial, however, won’t commence until this time next year.
Lee and Stephanie Chatfield had a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday in Ingham County Circuit Court, in which the defendants waived their right to a speedy trial. The trial is now set for Sept. 21, 2026, through Oct. 9, 2026.
The court’s record notes that the year-out timeline was the earliest the trial could be set due to defense scheduling conflicts.
Attorney General Dana Nessel and her department have alleged that Lee and Stephanie Chatfield funneled money from their political nonprofit accounts to fund a lavish lifestyle, and will stand trial for embezzlement and other charges related to their activities.
The pair was bound over to the circuit court in May.
The Department of Attorney General’s case against the Chatfields asserts that, beginning in 2021, the couple allegedly used nonprofit money to reimburse themselves for purchases at luxe stores like Coach, items at amusement parks like Universal Studios, while Lee Chatfield also spent lavishly at strip clubs and partied with his associates and brothers.
An investigation into Chatfield began after his former sister-in-law reported to Lansing police an allegation that he had sexually assaulted her for years, starting when she was 14 or 15 years old.
Michigan State Police probed the allegations and found evidence of potential financial improprieties – an investigation that was later taken over by Attorney General Dana Nessel.
However, her office did not find sufficient evidence to pursue charges for criminal sexual conduct against Lee Chatfield, but it did allow the office to charge him with 13 felony counts for conducting a criminal enterprise, conspiracy and embezzlement. Stephanie Chatfield faces two felony counts.
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