LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 21, 2023) — Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) and House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) issued the following joint statement after Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges against Rob and Ann Minard, the chief of staff and director of external affairs for the embattled former Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield:
“This is a long-awaited day. These charges are the first of what we expect to be multiple steps in addressing the unparalleled level of corruption that was celebrated in Lee Chatfield’s inner circle. This ring of uniquely bad actors defrauded citizens and supporters for personal gain, committing serious crimes in the process for which they are now charged.
“Our new majority will continue in its mission of restoring trust between constituents and their elected leaders through transparency and ethics reform. We know that Attorney General Nessel and her team will leave no stone unturned in holding accountable those who flagrantly defied the law, and we will use the totality of the evidence revealed in this case to help inform future legislative action.”