LANSING, Mich. – A high-powered couple in Lansing will stand trial on public corruption charges.
Rob and Anne Minard are accused of running a criminal enterprise and illegally bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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The two are close associates of former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield and had worked for him in 2019-20. They also ran a political consulting firm called Victor Strategies. Nessel said they used their positions to exploit nonprofits, advocacy groups and others to enrich themselves.
They reportedly illegally made $525,000 between 2018 and 2020.
Background: Former Michigan House Speaker associates accused of embezzling $525K over 2 years
In December 2023, the two were charged with:
- One count of conducting a criminal enterprise
- One count of conspiracy to conduct a criminal enterprise,
- Three counts of false pretenses -- $1,000 or more but less than $20,000
- One count of false pretenses -- $20,000 or more but less than $50,000
- One count of embezzlement -- $100,000.00 or more
- One count of filing a false tax return
In addition to those felonies, Anne Minard was charged with two counts of embezzlement -- $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 from a nonprofit or charitable organization and two counts of false pretenses -- $1,000 or more but less than $20,000.
Rob Minard was also charged with one count of false pretenses -- $1,000 or more but less than $20,000.
The 21 felony charges against Rob and Anne Minard stemmed from an ongoing investigation of Chatfield.
Chief Judge Molly Hennessey Greenwalt bound the two over to stand trial Thursday, Sept. 12, for allegedly misappropriating funds from three non-profits and a Political Action Committee tied to former Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield.
The couple will return to court Sept. 25.
