When Wentworth first ran for state representative in 2016, the Farwell Republican's wife, Heather, was treasurer of his campaign. The affidavits also provide insights into what investigators have been told, as well as reveal some of the evidence they already have. Amber McCann, Nessel's spokeswoman, declined to comment on whether the former speaker's ties to GCSI are part of the ongoing investigation. Chatfield's letter of support to the federal government was sent on the same day in July 2020 as one from Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake. LaPorte and Hawks had a close relationship with Chatfield. Rebekah and Aaron were engaged in June 2014 and married two months later, according to Bridge. Chatfield has said the relationship was consensual. But he did not assault this woman in any manner during their years-long adult relationship. A Republican state representative in Michigan was rebuked by members of his own party on Monday hours after he made comments suggesting that he and others planned to . Let's hope they do, without fear or favor. Her lawyer, Jamie White, confirmed the nature of the allegations first reported by Lansing City Pulse, including that Chatfield began molesting her more than a decade ago and the sexual contact continued until last year. . "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. The emerging details of how Chatfield used his influence have the potential to spur an overhaul of how Lansing operates as Democrats prepare to take control of the House and Senate in January. Rebekah, now 26, filed the criminal complaint with the Lansing Police Department against Lee, 33, she said in several interviews with Bridge Michigan. 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. The woman who accused former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield of multiple sexual assaults since she was a teenager was revealed to be his own sister-in-law.. Rebekah Chatfield, who is married . My whole world was the Chatfield family, she said. Before long, it emerged that the Minards were highly-paid state employees serving Chatfield during his tenure as speaker from 2019 through 2020, while simultaneously making a fortune on the side as their company Victor Strategies helped to raise money for and elect some of the most influential Republicans in the state House. Racial incident not representative. He was first elected from the 107th House district in 2015. "The bigger issue is the disclosure of all of this spending," state Rep. Gary Howell, R-North Branch, said of Chatfield's travel habits. More:5 revelations in the Chatfield investigation search warrant affidavits. GCSI and its employees spent $6,898 on food and drink for Chatfield over his two years as speaker. [5] He also paid a $1,960 fine from the Transportation Security Administration. 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 . He destroyed me, and has controlled my life since I was 15-16, the past 10-11 years, she said. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle noticed Chatfield's close connections to GCSI while he had the power to set the agenda in the state House. 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. In 2017, a local Rotary Club posted the above photo of the Chatfields and wrote, "Representative Lee Chatfield and his wife Stephanie at this year's Diamonds & Denim event at Bay Harbor . She went to the immediate jurisdiction that she thought was appropriate, White said. 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.". Which is too bad, because I have a lot of questions for him about one of his employees, who is at the heart of what could turn out to be one of the biggest scandals in Michigan political history. Complaints about lobbying are investigated by the Attorney General's office. Guest Service Representative at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Greater Saginaw-Midland-Bay City Area. Chatfield was a teacher, coach and athletic director at the school. Gretchen Whitmer on Saturday questioning why the legislature was not warned about the plot to take . He said he didn't know about the alleged sexual abuse though he "always had questions.". [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. The Little River Band didn't begin meeting with Chatfield until 2020 to make the case for the proposed casino near Muskegon, Shields said. Neither of the 19-year olds were prepared for marriage, and had second thoughts, the report said. View job description, responsibilities and qualifications. Join to apply for the Sales Representative - Earn Over $100k role at SitePro Rentals. Rep. Kara Hope, D-Holt, said she was trying to create a safe work environment, but the House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, said the sign took away people's Second Amendment rights and . Jack "Jackey" Chatfield is an American politician, businessman, and rancher, currently serving as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives. The previous three House speakers received a combined total of $4,180 in food and drink from all Michigan lobbyists over eight years. She also served as treasurer when Wentworth started his second PAC. Interviews with more than 30 sources and a review of previously unreported documents underscore how Michigan's lax ethics laws shielded ties between Chatfield and GCSI from the public spotlight and provided ways for the once powerful lawmaker and the multi-client lobbying firm to avoid disclosure of their collaboration. 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. U14*- Born 2009, 2010 - Players must be at secondary school (Yr 9) to be eligible for selection. In his final year in office, Chatfield attempted to help GCSI secure support for a new off-reservation tribal casino in Muskegon after the firm quietly got involved on behalf of another lobbying firm through a loophole in the state's lobby law. Chatfield's brother Aaron reportedly told investigators that Lee Chatfield asked him to buy Adderall for a lobbyist buddy. So he would manipulate me, he would mess with my emotions.". Chatfield is the speaker of the Michigan House for the 2019-2020 legislative session. Michigan House of Representatives District 107 is represented by Neil Friske (R). First name. Along the way, investigators will likely uncover evidence that may embarrass and expose benefactors and members of both political parties. "[10], On January 6, 2022, The Detroit News reported Michigan State Police were investigating Chatfield over allegations that he sexually abused a girl for 12 years, beginning in 2009 when she was between 14 and 15 years old and continuing until 2021. Michigan is currently one of two states where the governor's office and lawmakers are exempt from open records requests, meaning letters, emails and text messages between Chatfield and lobbyists about pending bills can remain secret. Egan reported that she did not respond to specific questions about how she would handle a conflict involving one of her husband's clients. The last payments from Wentworth's PACs to Victor Strategies were made on Feb. 5, with the notation "bookkeeping no other vendor." After three two-year terms, Chatfield's career as a state representative ended on Dec. 31, 2020 when he was term-limited. Chatfield ran to the right of then-Rep. Frank Foster in a Republican primary in 2014 to win his seat in the Michigan House. The accuser, now 26, filed a criminal complaint with the Lansing Police Department, which referred it to state police earlier this week. Im rethinking every conversation I ever had with Lee, Aaron reportedly said. After three two-year terms, Chatfield's career as a state representative ended on Dec. 31, 2020. Electoral College. , , . Stephanie Chatfield, 28, wife of Michigan State Representative Lee Chatfield (R-Levering), also 28, wrote in a Facebook post Friday about an incident in which she was apparently sexually assaulted . ", "For four decades, GCSI has fostered and built relationships with a variety of leaders and lawmakers in both parties as well as with different organizations and we will continue to do so in compliance with state and federal laws," the statement by Hawks, Profit and Farrah said. The congressional report on the Jan. 6 Capitol attack lays out how Trump and his allies targeted Michigan in an effort to overturn the election. Gretchen Whitmer named to lead Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), which is one of the state's largest and most far-reaching government agencies. LaPorte's firm, Capitol Advocacy Services Group LLC, is a registered lobbyist for other tribal casino operators, including the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, which runs the Odawa casinos in Petoskey and Mackinaw City in Chatfield's district in Emmet and Cheboygan counties. Rebekah Chatfield, who is married to the former Michigan state representative's younger brother Aaron, gives details of alleged abuse that began years ago when she was a teenager 5 bedroom house for sale at Lot 35128 Souter Avenue (Cloverton), Kalkallo, VIC 3064, $793,008. In addition, according to the affidavit, Aaron Chatfield "acquired Adderall for the lobbyist Noel LaPorte one time." [20] A few days after beginning his new job, Chatfield resigned, citing the controversy.[21]. They wanted us to manage them," Scofes said of the Little River Band. The photos, tweeted by journalist . [3] Whitmer signed the bill, but with 147 line-item vetoes plus several administrative transfers.[3]. 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