Rob Minard takes plea deal, agrees to testify in Lee Chatfield trial

Prosecutors have reached one other plea take care of a former aide to former Michigan Home Speaker Lee Chatfield, who will stand trial for a collection of alleged monetary misconduct.

Rob Minard, who served as Chatfield’s chief of employees through the Legislature’s time period as speaker, pleaded responsible Thursday, Nov. 6, to at least one felony depend of stealing no less than $20,000 however lower than $50,000 from a nonprofit group and one misdemeanor depend of submitting a false tax return, Lawyer Normal Dana Nessel’s workplace introduced. Minard, 48, and his spouse Anne Minard have been initially charged in 2023 with a collection of crimes, together with one depend of prison conspiracy, after prosecutors alleged the couple illegally used their connections to political nonprofits for their very own private achieve.

As a part of Rob Minard’s plea deal, he agreed to testify at Chatfield’s trial, at present scheduled for subsequent fall. His plea deal comes simply weeks after Anne Minard made an analogous deal in change for additionally testifying.

Rob Minard’s plea deal included three years of probation with a potential sentence of six months in jail if the phrases of his probation are violated, the Lansing-based outlet reported. MIRS news. Sentencing is ready for December 17 in Ingham County’s thirtieth Circuit Courtroom. Each Rob and Anne Minard must seem in court docket earlier than coming into plea offers. Anne Minard’s sentencing is ready for December 3.

Rob Minard’s lawyer, Robert Harrison, beforehand informed reporters that discussions have been underway with prosecutors a few potential settlement.

Chatfield, a Levering Republican who held probably the most highly effective place within the Michigan Home of Representatives in 2019 and 2020, faces 13 monetary expenses. Prosecutors allege he knowingly used cash from political funds to pay for holidays, dinners at luxurious eating places and different unauthorized gadgets whereas he was a lawmaker. His spouse, Stephanie Chatfield, is charged with two counts of embezzlement. Each have pleaded not responsible to all expenses.

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Now that Rob and Anne Minard have agreed to testify as authorities witnesses, they are able to give prosecutors perception into how the cash flowed by way of a number of political nonprofits with which Lee Chatfield had ties.

Lee Chatfield’s lawyer, Mary Chartier, didn’t instantly return a message looking for remark Nov. 6. She beforehand informed the Free Press, “The lawyer basic is prepared to make a take care of anybody to attempt to construct a case towards Mr. Chatfield,” as Anne Minard reached a plea take care of prosecutors to keep away from jail time.

As a part of Rob Minard’s plea deal, he agreed to repay the total quantity owed to the state treasury, Nessel’s workplace stated.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com