LANSING – Today, in the 54B District Court in East Lansing, Chief Judge Molly Hennessey Greenwalt bound over Anne and Robert (Rob) Minard of Bath Township to stand trial in the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County. They are accused of allegedly misappropriating funds from three non-profits and a Political Action Committee tied to former Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The charges were filed in December 2023.
The Minards face multiple felony charges including:
- One count of conducting a criminal enterprise; a 20-year felony.
- One count of conspiracy to conduct a criminal enterprise; a 20-year felony.
- Three counts of false pretenses - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000; each a 5-year felony.
- One count of false pretenses - $20,000 or more but less than $50,000; a 15-year felony.
- One count of embezzlement - $100,000 or more; a 20-year felony.
- One count of filing a false tax return; a 5-year felony.
Anne Minard, 37, faces additional individual charges:
- Two counts of embezzlement - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 from a non-profit or charitable organization; each a 10-year felony.
- Two counts of false pretenses - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000; each a 5-year felony.
Rob Minard, 47, faces an additional charge individually:
- One count of false pretenses - $1,000 or more but less than $20,000; a 5-year felony.
"The Minards engaged in a vast, complex scheme of fraud and through this deception stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from non-profits and political action committees," Nessel said. "My department is pleased to see this case progress and remains committed to pursuing political operatives who violate the law for their own personal gain."
The next court appearance for the Minards is scheduled for September 25 in the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County.
###
Please note: For all criminal proceedings, a criminal charge is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.