Anne Minard and Robert Minard sentencing: Ex-aides avoid jail time

LANSING — An Ingham County choose accepted plea offers for a pair of former aides to ex-Michigan Home Speaker Lee Chatfield, paving the best way for the staffers to testify in opposition to their former boss at his trial, which is anticipated to happen subsequent yr.

Circuit Courtroom Choose James Jamo sentenced each Anne Minard and Robert Minard to 36 months of probation, with a doable sentence of six months in jail for violations of the phrases of probation, which weren’t absolutely disclosed throughout the listening to on Wednesday, December 17.

The Minards have been beforehand indicted on a variety of fees, together with embezzlement, conducting a legal enterprise and intent to defraud by false pretenses. Michigan Legal professional Basic Dana Nessel’s workplace beforehand alleged that the 2 used their political connections to complement themselves, embezzling cash from a sequence of nonprofit political accounts they have been related to, together with via Chatfield. However in October, 38-year-old Anne Minard pleaded responsible to 2 of the preliminary fees filed in opposition to her, submitting a false tax return and embezzling from a nonprofit. In November, 48-year-old Robert Minard pleaded responsible to 2 related fees.

As a part of their plea offers, the 2 agreed to testify on behalf of the federal government at Chatfield’s legal trial, tentatively scheduled for September.

“It permits her to work collectively and proper some wrongs,” Gerald Gleeson, Anne Minard’s legal professional, stated of the plea deal. Anne Minard, who appeared to talk via tears, advised Jamo throughout the listening to: “I’m sincerely remorseful, I’m very sorry. I settle for accountability for my actions.”

Robert Minard made no remark to Jamo throughout the speech. His legal professional, Robert Harrison, stated after the listening to that his shopper seems ahead to fulfilling the necessities of his plea deal.

The Minards have been key aides to Chatfield, who was tried earlier this yr on 13 fees of embezzlement, conspiracy and theft. Nessel’s workplace alleges within the indictment that he knowingly used cash from political funds to pay for holidays, dinners at luxurious eating places and different unauthorized objects whereas he was a lawmaker. Prosecutors additionally allege that Chatfield submitted mileage reimbursement requests to the Home of Representatives for journeys he didn’t take.

His spouse, Stephanie Chatfield, is charged with two counts of embezzlement.

Each have pleaded not responsible to all fees.

Anne Minard helped handle the Peninsula Fund, one among 501(c)4 nonprofits via which Chatfield, a Levering Republican, raised tens of millions for political functions throughout his time as Speaker of the Home of Representatives in 2019 and 2020. Her testimony could give prosecutors perception into how the cash flowed out and in of the accounts. Prosecutors argued that Chatfield used the cash from the accounts for private functions, though his legal professional beforehand stated it was as much as these working the nonprofits to make sure Chatfield’s spending complied with the legislation.

Mary Chartier, Chatfield’s legal professional, beforehand advised the Detroit Free Press that the plea offers weren’t stunning to the Minards, and Nessel’s workplace is keen to work with anybody to construct a case in opposition to the previous chairman. She additionally stated she seems ahead to cross-examining each Anne Minard and Robert Minard after they each take the stand.

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Jamo, the sentencing choose, initially appeared skeptical of the plea deal drawn up by prosecutors and protection attorneys within the case earlier than in the end accepting it.

“I assume there are individuals who say it is an entire deal,” Jamo stated earlier than Anne Minard was sentenced. “Personally, I think about it beneficiant… however I acknowledge there’s a good cause it was created this manner.”

The choose additionally stated the case was about extra than simply the Minards’ habits, saying their actions are partly chargeable for an total mistrust within the present authorities. “I feel unquestionably this type of habits erodes the general public’s belief in politics and politicians,” Jamo stated.

As a part of the settlement, Anne Minard and Robert Minard agreed to repay $37,403 to the state treasury as compensation for the fraudulent tax returns. No restitution was ordered within the case, which Assistant Legal professional Basic Kahla Crino stated was a product of the political nonprofits the Minards have now taken over.

“The cash the Minards stole on this case didn’t come out of nowhere,” Crino stated.

The fees in opposition to Anne Minard and Robert Minard have been first introduced in December 2023. On the time, Nessel stated the couple illegally obtained at the very least $525,000 between 2018 and 2020.

Each Anne and Robert Minard pleaded responsible to submitting a false tax return, against the law in Michigan that carries a penalty of as much as 5 years in jail if convicted. Anne Minard, as a part of her settlement, pleaded responsible to embezzling at the very least $1,000 however lower than $20,000 from a nonprofit group, which carries a most penalty of 10 years in jail if convicted. Robert Minard pleaded responsible to embezzling at the very least $20,000 however lower than $50,000 from a nonprofit group, which is punishable by as much as 15 years in jail if convicted.

The utmost penalties for the crimes are on the desk if probation situations are violated, Crino stated throughout the sentencing.

This story has been up to date as a result of an earlier model contained an inaccuracy.

You may attain Arpan at alobo@freepress.com.