Chatfield was a master of this; he had four PACs. At some point in 2020, GCSI, which had been working for the Gun Lake tribal casino located between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, and Noel LaPorte, another Lansing lobbyist who has worked with GCSI on other matters, began talking to lawmakers on behalf of the Little River Band. The 2017-18 version of the bill passed the Senate but stalled in the House despite Chatfield's advocacy behind the scenes for its passage. Rebekahs mother, Debbie Newberry, claimed to have seen a change in her daughters behavior in her later teenage years as Lee allegedly began to groom her daughter. Soave testified that Hizzoner didn't pay a dime for the flights, which added up to about $400,000. After the first alleged instance of unwanted sexual contact, Rebekah said, she didn't tell anyone about it because she was afraid of how the Chatfields would react. "And I know the only way to get justice for this is to come forward and to file a criminal [complaint] against him.". Rebekah claims the abuse began when she was a student at Northern Michigan Christian Academy, where Lee was a teacher and an athletic director. Racial incident not representative. The sister-in-law of a former, high-ranking Republican leader in Michigan accused the lawmaker of sexually assaulting her for years when she was an underaged teen, officials said Monday.. Lee Chatfield, 33, who served as speaker of the state House of Representatives in 2019 and 2020, denies any criminal wrongdoing and instead admits to extramarital but consensual sex with the accuser . But there's no guarantee every suspicion and suspect mentioned in an affidavit will be confirmed or charged with a crime. After he finished he said, Dont worry. "The fundamental evil we're fighting is the lack of . Amber McCann, Nessel's spokeswoman, declined to comment on whether the former speaker's ties to GCSI are part of the ongoing investigation. In January 2020, Daly was one of Chatfield's guests at Whitmer's 2020 State of the State address and sat on the House floor next to Rob Minard, the speaker's chief of staff, The News reported in October. Right now, we have more questions than answers. Search warrant affidavits The Detroit News obtained this month revealed that investigators for the Michigan Attorney General suspect Chatfield of being involved in a "criminal enterprise" involving embezzlement, bribery, tax evasion and misconduct in office. Lee Chatfield, speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives penned to a letter to Gov. If they follow the trail where it appears to be leading, investigators could expose the incestuous relationship between the deep-pocketed individuals, industries and special interests who provide the money that gets candidates elected, that helps ambitious politicians rise to power, that shapes regulations and legislation, and that pays for the expensive suits and hairdos of the lobbyists who practice the alchemy that passes for public policy in one of the most ethically challenged states in the nation. Here's why. I always had questions, he told Bridge. Chatfield says according to press reports he had an "affair" with his brother's wife but it began when she was an adult and denies the rape allegation. [1], Chatfield was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2014, after defeating a Republican incumbent, Frank Foster, in the primary election. Rebekah, now 26, filed the criminal complaint with the Lansing Police Department against Lee, 33, she said in several interviews with Bridge Michigan. Lee Chatfield has denied wrongdoing and said he had a consensual affair. Because of Michigan's lack of an open records policy covering lawmakers, the House wouldn't have to disclose Chatfield's letter. Getting to the bottom of Chatfield's relationship with GCSI has the potential to get messy. I don't want to get ahead of myself again so far everyone connected to the Chatfield matter accused of wrongdoing has professed their innocence but I love trials. Newbury told Bridge Michigan her daughter, then 16, was "old enough to make her own decisions" and so Rebekah moved in with her father, who lived about an hour from the school and church compound in Burt Lake, Michigan. However, the jobs did not have to be reported on any required disclosures from Lee Chatfield while he served as speaker of the House, with the power to set policies affecting the marijuana industry. [4] He was fined $250 for failure to register his handgun, which he had purchased in December 2015. There is no subtlety on GCSI's website about what they offer clients: "We are grateful for the strength of our strategic relationships and the access we possess to key elected and influential government officials who make daily decisions affecting many of our clients.". Lee, a Republican, was the youngest person to serve as Speaker of the House in Michigan in over 100 years. House Speaker Lee Chatfield and Rep. Jim Lilly were photographed on Friday night indulging in a bottle of Dom Perignon at the hotel's Benjamin Bar & Lounge. Since no one has accused Wentworth of wrongdoing, it would seem there's no good reason for him to clam up when one of his employees has given us reason to wonder whether state government is corrupt. Lee portrays himself as a family tradition, conservative guy who believes in the Bible and the Bible is so important, said Aaron, 26. We've received your submission. Minard and her husband, Rob, have been in the news since January, when their roles as key aides to Chatfield emerged in the wake of accusations that Chatfield had sexually assaulted his sister-in-law. "There is too much money, flowing from undisclosed sources used for undisclosed purposes," Brewer said. Nearby homes similar to 1370 Chatfield Pl have recently sold between $252K to $362K at an average of $235 per square foot. Chatfield's sister-in-law has accused him of sexual assault, and police have sought records related to his finances during his 2014 campaign and . Let's hope they do, without fear or favor. Chatfield received a bachelor's degree from Northland International University, a Baptist college in Wisconsin, and a master's degree from Liberty University in Virginia. LaPorte and Hawks had a close relationship with Chatfield. Complaints about lobbying are investigated by the Attorney General's office. . Job Description. Chatfield deeply regrets the decisions he has made. Let's hope the Attorney General's investigators, who work for an agency headed by Democrat Dana Nessel, don't flinch if the trail leads them in the direction of other Democrats, or their allies. Wentworth, through his spokesman, declined my invitation to explain why Anne Minard remains on the state payroll but is no longer serving as treasurer to his PACs and, based on the notation "no other vendor," appears to be persona non grata when it comes to his political funds. Catch up fast: The state investigation began in January after Chatfield's sister-in-law, Rebekah Chatfield . On required lobbyist disclosures, GCSI and its clients reported spending about $18,000 on food, drink and trips for Chatfield over his six years in Lansing, an average of $3,000 in expenditures per year. Elrick is a Pulitzer Prize- and Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter and host of theML's Soul of Detroit podcast. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan House of Representatives Speaker and Republican Lee Chatfield . Michigan needs comprehensive reform of its lobbying laws to require better disclosure of gifts, food, drink and travel for lawmakers, said Brewer, a former Michigan Democratic Party chairman. In October, The News first reported that Nessel's investigators have inquired about how three Chatfield siblings landed jobs at the same cannabis retailer that is represented by GCSI lobbyist Gary Owen. And he walked out., After Rebekah and Aaron were married, the affair allegedly continued while the two went off to separate colleges. He said he didn't know about the alleged sexual abuse though he "always had questions.". My whole world was the Chatfield family, she said. View 1 property photo, floor plans and Kalkallo suburb information. Daly also is president of a company called "Barton Re Ventures." So if I told (the Chatfields), that would, that would ruin everything. Owen's ties to Lee Chatfield surfaced in an affidavit obtained by The News that said Aaron Chatfield, Lee Chatfield's brother, previously told state investigators that he purchased Adderall for Owen, the son of a former House speaker, who was a close friend of Lee Chatfield. Staff Writer Beth LeBlanc and Politics Editor Chad Livengood contributed. Michigan House of Representatives District 107 is represented by Neil Friske (R). A talented group of Queensland Under 19 players will this month step up preparations for the 2022 representative clash against New South Wales. I couldn't see what would happen past then. 2 Beds. [3] Chatfield, along with Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, met with Trump on November 20, 2020, as Trump and his campaign attempted to overturn the results of the presidential election, in which Trump was defeated by Joe Biden (both nationally and in Michigan). Join to apply for the Sales Representative - Earn Over $100k role at SitePro Rentals. 43w. Paul Chatfield, another younger brother who also worked with Lee in politics, said he believes Lee engaged in inappropriate behavior with Rebekah but questions her timeline. Rebekah claimed the assaults began when she was 15 or 16 years old at Northern Michigan Christian Academy, a private school in Burt Lake where Lee taught and coached soccer before he launched his political career. Lee married his high school sweetheart, Stephanie (Zondervan), and they have four sons and one daughter. Yet, former House Minority Leader Chris Greig, D-Farmington Hills, said it was common knowledge in Lansing that Chatfield was tight with GCSI's lobbyists. How much does a Financial Advisor make in Chatfield, Minnesota? Anne Minard was treasurer of each of Chatfield's PACs. Rebekah tells a much different story. Scofes and Associates did report hiring the other lobbyists in an arrangement that clouded the public's ability to know GCSI and LaPorte were working on behalf of the tribe. [3], As speaker, Chatfield presided over the passage of a bipartisan auto insurance bill that allowed motorists to chose their level of personal injury protection coverage. "What she is saying, I don't believe," Paul said, adding that "the best-case scenario is, I'm disappointed. "If I told [the Chatfields], that would, that would ruin everything. "They dont have the time to manage bringing other consultants on.. (Photo by Michigan House Republicans) State Representative Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit) said the House can't punish Chatfield. I didnt know there was an option to report. [13][11][14], In February 2022, state police searched the home of Chatfield's former top staff members, Rob and Anne Minard. Twenty-eight players have been invited to take part in the Queensland Rugby League's training squad at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre in Brisbane from May 15 until May 17. Gretchen Whitmer named to lead Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), which is one of the state's largest and most far-reaching government agencies. His father is pastor of the church, the school superintendent and a teacher. 0:05 / 0:31. In the 2019-20 session, as speaker, Chatfield again pushed to advance the legislation without success because of opposition from members of his own caucus and his staff. Steve Scofes, the owner of Scofes and Associates Consulting, said state law allows lobbyists to hire other lobbyists for projects and to report them as their own clients without the organization being represented disclosing the connection. IE 11 is not supported. The affidavits also said Anne Minard believed Chatfield abused Adderall, a drug used to treat attention deficit disorder that also acts as a stimulant. [5] He also paid a $1,960 fine from the Transportation Security Administration. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. Photos of Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, state Rep. Jim Lilly and other Republicans surfaced on social media, where the men were lashed for their extravagant indulgence and extraordinary callous indifference as their constituents struggle with health and financial hardships. He was first elected from the 107th House district in 2015. Rebekah says she spent time in the Chatfield home, babysitting his young children with his wife and spending the night when it was too late to venture home. His brother also worked for Representative Chatfield while he was Speaker. At one point, her family discussed sending her to a public school. Lee Roberson Chatfield (born May 25, 1988) is an American politician and a Republican former member of the Michigan House of Representatives. His current term ends on December 31, 2024. Chatfield ran to the right of then-Rep. Frank Foster in a Republican primary in 2014 to win his seat in the Michigan House. Most relevant. U14*- Born 2009, 2010 - Players must be at secondary school (Yr 9) to be eligible for selection. As senior representatives of our school . Among the other proposals Chatfield quietly championed in Lansing was one that would have directly benefited the Detroit Salt Company, which owns the Detroit Salt Mine and has been represented by GCSI since 2009. Lee pressured her into unwanted sex in a separate room before his brother returned, she alleged. 182 talking about this. Price information. In a September 2017 email to the leaders of another tribe, before LaPorte began working with the Little River Band, LaPorte touted his connection with Chatfield, who in his third year in office was in line to be elevated to speaker in 2019. According to the Bridge Michigan report, state law generally sets the age of consent for sex at 16 but it's illegal for a teacher to sexually penetrate a student under the age of 18, though there is a statute of limitations on bringing some charges. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Biden laughs at Marjorie Taylor Greene pinning 2020 fentanyl deaths of two brothers on him, Cop finishes DoorDash delivery for pregnant driver after car wreck, Long-lost ship found in Lake Huron, confirming tragic story, Michigan Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin announces 2024 Senate run. 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