Trials yield truths like contractor Tony Soave's confession: "It's good to be friends with the mayorof the city where you are working.". Mark N. Clement. A Gary Owen is listed as a director of the entity, according to state business records. Chatfield ( Republican Party) ran for re-election to the New Mexico House of Representatives to represent District 67. In a statement, Orlene Hawks didn't answer directly about whether she had spoken to Chatfield about the $1 million appropriation. Lansing Former House Speaker Lee Chatfield repeatedly provided favorable treatment to a prominent Lansing lobbying firm's clients while receiving personal benefits in a relationship that exposes weaknesses in the state's scant ethics laws, a Detroit News investigation shows. With trouble at home, she became more dependent on the Chatfield family, who ran that whole church and school that had become essential to her social life, she said. The affidavits also provide insights into what investigators have been told, as well as reveal some of the evidence they already have. Chatfield's sister-in-law, Rebekah, reportedly told investigators that her husband Aaron would cash checks from Anne Minard and give the lucre to then-Speaker Chatfield around the time he took trips to Detroit, Miami, Las Vegas, Aspen and the Bahamas. "They preach at the pulpit that the men are always right, the women have no say," she said. What she is saying, I dont believe, Paul Chatfield said, adding that the best-case scenario is, Im disappointed in his brother. Chatfield took office in 2015. As a former military policeman with a master's degree in leadership, Wentworth should understand the importance of reassuring the public. 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. LaPorte declined to comment for this article. Because of Michigan's lack of an open records policy covering lawmakers, the House wouldn't have to disclose Chatfield's letter. He was first elected to serve the 107th District in northern Michigan . He was first elected to serve the 107th state House District in 2014. One of those firms is Governmental Consultant Services, Inc., also known as GCSI. Lee, a Republican, was the youngest person to serve as Speaker of the House in Michigan in over 100 years. According to Crain's Detroit Business, Chatfield confirmed he would be moving to Kalamazoo.The former representative from Levering, who was term-limited after six years in the state House, is no friend to the LGBTQ community. Updated, 6:40 p.m. Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield only had to pay half the fine he was originally slapped with after bringing a loaded, unregistered handgun to an airport last summer, The Detroit News reported. Their affair lasted for years, but they were both consenting adults, she said. In mid-February 2021, after leaving office, Chatfield was appointed as the new CEO of Southwest Michigan First, a privately funded economic development organization covering the seven counties of southwest Michigan (Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren). But he said they could get more information. Rebekah said Lee would find reasons to text her late at night, and enter the guest room and grope her. Strong sales / Operations professional graduated from Southern Cross University. GCSI represents Ann Arbor-based cannabis entrepreneur James Daly, who hired Chatfield's brothers Aaron and Paul as well as Paul's wife, Hannah, in 2020 to work in his Herbana marijuana retail stores. His brother also worked for Representative Chatfield while he was Speaker. 1,056 Sq. Speaker Chatfield's heavy-handed approach to Representative C.A. 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. "I had a lot of family stuff going on in my life," Rebekah told Bridge Michigan. Jack "Jackey" Chatfield is an American politician, businessman, and rancher, currently serving as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives. The relationship between lobbyists and lawmakers in Lansing for many years has been too cozy for my taste. And he walked out., After Rebekah and Aaron were married, the affair allegedly continued while the two went off to separate colleges. Become a subscriber. "The bigger issue is the disclosure of all of this spending," state Rep. Gary Howell, R-North Branch, said of Chatfield's travel habits. Chatfield's close ties to Lansing-based Governmental Consultant Services Inc. (GCSI) included renting an apartment from one of the firm's high-profile clients with regulatory issues before the Legislature and championing a bill that would have given another client a near-monopoly on contracts for road salt. View 1 property photo, floor plans and Kalkallo suburb information. Rebekah tells a much different story. 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. Governmental Consultant Services, Inc.'s logo in the window of the multi-client lobbying firm's downtown Lansing office. IE 11 is not supported. Chatfield has said the relationship . His father is pastor of the church, the school superintendent and a teacher. State Representative Jack Chatfield represents Colfax, Curry, Harding, Quay, San Miguel, and Union A GCSI-affiliated lobbyist who also did not disclose his work on the casino project once bragged to clients he and Chatfield worked "more closely together than any other legislator," according to emails obtained by The News. While you and I pray that they have the courage to kick over every stone they find, powerful people are likely preying on their fears that following this trail to the full truth will be detrimental to their careers. Paul Bryan (Newcastle Knights) Xavier Chatfield-Mooka (Sydney Roosters) [1] Before his election to the state House in 2014, he worked at a Christian school in northern Michigan operated by his father, a minister. Chatfield and Shirkey both opposed Whitmer's actions to use a government shutdown on business during COVID. Students attending Chatfield High School have been very upset about the recent events regarding racial discrimination. 2023 Representative Information. Elected at age 30; he was believed to be the youngest House speaker in recent memory. Lee has not commented on the accusations, but his attorney Mary Chartier told The Bridge in a statement that both were consenting adults in the relationship. That said, it is clear the attorney general's investigators believe they are peeling back the layers of an onion that will make anyone who cares about integrity and good government weep bitter tears. Because sunlight may be the only disinfectant that will help us clean up Michigan politics. Chatfield won the primary and the general election . In December 2020, the federal government made determinations in favor of the Muskegon County project. "He destroyed me, and has controlled my life since I was 15-16, the past 10-11 years," Rebekah Chatfield told Bridge Michigan in a series of interviews, published Friday, about the allegations against her brother-in-law. In 2018, "the Great Lakes Center for the Arts reached out" to Chatfield requesting assistance with an economic development project in his House district, according to Orlene Hawks' statement. The affidavits also said Anne Minard believed Chatfield abused Adderall, a drug used to treat attention deficit disorder that also acts as a stimulant. "Lee and I probably work more closely together than any other legislator and I know from working with him on tribal issues in the past he is very responsive to the tribal values and sovereignty," LaPorte wrote. "I didn't know there were options for therapy.". Yet nonprofits tied to Michigan lawmakers can raise and spend money in secret so there are no public details of the expenditures, including $1.5 million in expenses Chatfield's Peninsula Fund made while he was House speaker. Orlene Hawks told my colleague Paul Egan in 2019 that she has "served the people of Michigan with the utmost honesty and integrity" throughout her career as a state employee. Chatfield is notable for his homophobia. Shirkey and Representative Lee Chatfield, the top two Republican leaders of Michigan's legislative chambers, are set to meet with Trump on Friday. "GCSI reported it and so did Scofes.". Job Description. They wanted us to manage them," Scofes said of the Little River Band. U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, said on Twitter the GOP leaders are "flying to D.C. at Trump's beck and call, willingly participating in the president's desperate attempt to overturn the election . It's unclear if Nessel's office is investigating GCSI, though the jobs Chatfield's brothers landed with one of the firm's clients while he was speaker have caught the attention of investigators, The Detroit News reported in October. Thanks for contacting us. Soon after GCSI got involved, Chatfield joined the campaign for the project. The actions that she took prove a consensual affair and not an assaultive relationship," Chartier also said. As long-time CFO of Toll Holdings he helped create a transport, logistics and infrastructure powerhouse, but since 2005 he's also been sitting on public company boards which have largely been a great success for shareholders. First name. "And it needs to stop.. The Little River Band needed the federal government's support and the backing of Democratic Gov. Hauck did not provide additional details about his discussion with Chatfield. LaPorte did not return my message. "Theres enough there," Thomas said. While police launched an investigation, reporters began digging into Chatfield's campaign accounts. So he would manipulate me, he would mess with my emotions.. 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. Lot 1318 Nowlan Street (Willow), Gisborne, Vic 3437. Terry Burns, executive vice president of the auto dealers association, acknowledged to The News that the group never reported the arrangement because of a broad exemption in state regulations for transactions made in "the ordinary course of the lobbyist's business." The Levering Republican paid $1,960 to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) after he brought the weapon to the Pellston Regional [] It has caused great pain to his wife and family, and they are working through this together. They "ran that whole church and school," she said. In 2018, Orlene Hawks, wife of GCSI leader Mike Hawks, was on the arts center's board of directors. [3] Negotiations for long-term road funding broke down, and Legislature passed a bill without support from Whitmer's administration. 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. "My dad was a recovering alcoholic, and so I believe that Lee used those [circumstances] against me and helped take advantage of me. In his first race for state Rep in 2014, Chatfield began his campaign to deny LGBTQ+ people their civil rights by using that as a wedge issue against fellow Republican Frank Foster, who supported adding sexual orientation and gender identity to ELCRA. The partnership between Wentworth and the Minards was lucrative, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions to the PACs. Owen has not responded to requests for comment about the Attorney General's affidavit. Allegations of sexual assault and financial impropriety, Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, attempted to overturn the results of the presidential election, AP Interview: Chatfield says taxes at pump should fund roads, Meet the Republican Who Lost His Election Fighting for LGBT Rights, Outgoing House Speaker had big wins on auto insurance and criminal justice, but pandemic was a stumbling block, "Chatfield detained at airport after loaded gun found in carry-on", "State rep pays one fine, another to be determined", "Michigan House speaker pays $1,960 fine for gun incident at airport", "Rep. Chatfield introduces bill to eliminate pistol registration mandate", "Trump Targets Michigan in His Ploy to Subvert the Election", "Top GOP state lawmakers set to visit White House amid election fight", "GOP leader Chatfield says state's Electoral College must vote for Biden or 'we would lose our country forever", "State police investigating sexual abuse allegations against ex-Speaker Chatfield", "Former House Speaker Lee Chatfield admits affair, denies sexual assault allegations from sister-in-law", "Former Michigan lawmaker accused of molesting 14-year-old", "Lee Chatfield's Dad Preaches About Truth as Son Faces Sex Abuse Allegation from His Sister-in-Law", "Michigan State Police raid home of ex-Speaker Chatfield's top staffers", "Stateside Podcast: Lee Chatfield under investigation", "House speaker orders lawmakers, staff to retain records in light of Chatfield allegations", "Southwest Michigan First Announces Lee Chatfield as New CEO", "Former Michigan House speaker's new job spurs backlash", "Chatfield will support expanding civil rights protections in new post", "Lee Chatfield resigns from new job after pushback on LGBTQ policy positions", Speakers of the Michigan House of Representatives, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lee_Chatfield&oldid=1131863430, Republican Party members of the Michigan House of Representatives, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 6 January 2023, at 03:20. 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. On July 22, 2020, the Levering Republican sent a letter to the federal government asking for approval "as soon as possible," according to a copy of the letter obtained by The News. Rep. Chatfield sets local fall office hours. Representative Chatfield and other House Republican supporters believe the bill would increase economic development by keeping money in family's pockets. Lee Roberson Chatfield (born May 25, 1988) is an American politician and a Republican former member of the Michigan House of Representatives. Chatfield was a teacher, coach and athletic director at the school. Chatfield was never listed as the primary sponsor of the bills but privately pressured other lawmakers to support them, according to four legislators who declined to be identified for fear of retribution. 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. "When GCSI became available, they approached the tribe, and tribal leadership decided to add additionalhelp to the lobbying efforts," said Tom Shields, a spokesman for the Little River Band. 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. 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. But there's no guarantee every suspicion and suspect mentioned in an affidavit will be confirmed or charged with a crime. [20] During his tenure in the Michigan House, Chatfield had opposed such an expansion, which he viewed as an infringement on religious freedom. 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. In 2018, Chatfield attempted to bring a loaded, unregistered handgun onto a commercial flight at Pellston Regional Airport. Samantha has 8 jobs listed on their profile. LANSING, Mich. State police in northern Michigan were investigating Thursday after a woman accused former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield of sexually assaulting her multiple times, beginning when she was 14 or 15 years old. But it is Minard's role as one of the principals of Victor Strategies that transformed her from political insider and fundraiser extraordinaire to the key that could unlock former Speaker Lee Chatfield's treasure chest of secrets. Man shoots motorcyclist dead during argument at North Caro 11-year-old reads aloud from 'pornographic' book he checked out from library at school board meeting, Mike McCarthy shreds ex-Cowboys coordinator after firing, Family raises 250-pound 'dog' for 2 years then realizes it's a bear, 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards: Lana Del Ray, Kim Petras, & more, RHOA star Drew Sidora accuses ex Ralph Pittman of cheating, mental abuse, Original Gone With The Wind script reveals secret war over slavery, cut scenes, Good luck 'worming' your way out of this one, Sunny Hostin Points Finger at China for COVID Crisis: Did Not Cooperate With the International Community, Kanye West and 'wife' Bianca Censori look surprisingly happy on dinner date. What's your enquiry about? Rep. Brad Paquette, R-Berrien Springs Michigan House of Representatives Chatfield's financial activities, while he was a top lawmaker, are now under criminal investigation by Attorney General Dana . A talented group of Queensland Under 19 players will this month step up preparations for the 2022 representative clash against New South Wales. That money was used to support Republican candidates with donations of up to $10,000 and, no doubt, generate the kind of goodwill and support that helped Wentworth become speaker in 2021. Aaron quit school earlier to support his brothers political career. He destroyed me, and has controlled my life since I was 15-16, the past 10-11 years, she said. "By no stretch of the imagination is that social welfare," said longtime elections lawyer Mark Brewer, whose main areas of practice include campaign finance and nonprofit law. It's more than four times what they spent on Wentworth, who succeeded Chatfield as speaker. 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. [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. [20] A few days after beginning his new job, Chatfield resigned, citing the controversy.[21]. The alleged assaults began when the then-14- or 15-year-old girl attended Northern Michigan Baptist Bible Church and Northern Michigan Christian Academy near Burt Lake, about 60 miles northeast of Traverse City, White said.The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they choose to come forward publicly. RT @CraigDMauger: Former Rep. Frank Foster, a Republican who pushed for this change in 2014 and lost a primary race against Lee Chatfield, is in the Senate gallery this morning. SOLD JUN 10, 2022. 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