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The former student of the State’s house did not know who financed the trips to Bahamas, Las Vegas

The former student of the State’s house did not know who financed the trips to Bahamas, Las Vegas

East Lansing, my-brother of the former president of the State’s house, Lee Chatfield, declared that he and others, including the lobbyists, legislators and workers of the campaign, took vacations in the Bahamas and other places, but said he had no knowledge of who covered the costs.

Aaron Chatfield testified on Thursday, February 27 at the East Lansing District Court, where Lee Chatfield and his wife, Stephanie, are accused of using bad funds from non -profit organizations for personal expenses.

Prosecutors had previously used a investigation citation to force the brother’s testimony.

Aaron Chatfield

Aaron Chatfield, with his lawyer, reviews a document provided by Chris Kessel, Law, a State Assistant Attorney General. (John Agar | Mlive)John Agar

The hearing began on Wednesday before the district judge of East Lansing, Molly Hennessy Greenwalt, who will decide if the Chatfields will be obliged to trial in the Ingham County Circuit Court.

Related: Former students financed luxurious lifestyle with “dark money” without profit, prosecutors say

The audience is expected to end on Friday.

Lee Chatfield faces 13 charges for serious crimes; His wife faces two serious crimes.

Stephanie Chatfield

Stephanie Chatfield, on the left, enters the East Lansing district court on Thursday, February 27. (John Agar | Mlive)John Agar

Aaron Chatfield testified that he helped his brother’s three campaigns. He testified that he made trips to the Bahamas and Orlando, as well as multiple trips to Las Vegas, without knowing who paid.

He also said he charged checks from the bottom of the majority of Chatfield, and told him to return part of the money to his brother. In one case, he deposited a $ 5,000 check and returned $ 3,500 to his brother.

Related: Former student of Michigan’s house, wife denies charges of embezzlement

Lee Chatfield considered that $ 3,500 were a recovery of previous campaign expenses, said the brother.

The state says that Chatfield used public and private money for a luxurious lifestyle, including a $ 32,000 vacation for the Bahamas, and to pay a personal credit card.

Chatfield used funds through a non -profit organization “Dark Money”, Peninsula Fund, the office of the state attorney general Dana Nessel.

Non -high expenses

A document that allegedly shows unpaid expenses claimed by the former president of the House of Representatives, Lee Chatfield. (John Agar | Mlive)John Agar

Michelle Gallagher, a certified public accountant hired by the Nessel office, was recognized by the judge as an expert in forensic accounting. She said the Peninsula fund was used to pay almost the total balance of $ 153,000 on the Chatfield Personal Credit.

She said that personal expenses were not supposed to be used from Peninsula Fund. She reviewed purchases, calendars and communications to determine if the costs were related to commercial or personal expenses.

When asked if people could relax on business trips, she said: “It can relax on a business trip. I am not sure that this was a business trip. “

He pointed out “erratic” payments on the credit card.

“There was no rhyme or reason for payments that are made in that period of time. The amounts were unusual. “

She said that in her experience, such payments were “destined to be a little smoke and mirrors.”

Lee Chatfield’s lawyer, Mary Chartier, questioned why Gallagher paid $ 575 per hour, was hired six months after the charges were presented.

She suggested that Gallagher made an error in determining commercial expenses as personal expenses. He also said that Gallagher could have asked defense for explanations for charges.

She said the defense cooperated with the Michigan State Police.

“We replied,” he told the witness.

Chatfield, R-Levering, was a speaker of the house in 2019-2020. Served in the 2015-2020 house.

Lee Chatfield is accused of four embezzlement embezzlement charges of a non -profit organization, three charges of embezzlement for a public official of more than $ 50, three charges of embezzlement of funds, carrying out a criminal company, conspiracy for discomfort of a non -profit organization and violating the Caritable Finestment Law.

Stephanie Chatfield faces individual charges of embezzlement of a non -profit organization and conspiracy to commit embezzlement embezzlement of a non -profit organization.

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