State police search house of former Speaker Chatfield’s top aides

As an investigation continues into former House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering), who is facing allegations of sexually assaulting his sister-in-law, police raided the house of two former top Chatfield staffers Tuesday. 

Michigan State Police (MSP) searched Rob Minard’s house in Bath Township Tuesday morning. Minard worked as Chatfield’s chief of staff in 2019 and 2020, and his wife, Anne Minard, was Chatfield’s director of external affairs. 

MSP public affairs manager Shannon Banner said the department is working in conjunction with the attorney general’s office as part of an ongoing investigation, but would not specify any details about the police’s investigation at the Minard’s house.

“We will not be releasing any further information at this time,” Bannon said.

Last month, Chatfield’s 26-year-old sister-in-law, Rebekah Chatfield, accused him of sexually abusing her beginning when she was 15 years old. Jamie White, Rebekah Chatfield’s attorney, said the assaults continued until about July 2021. 

Chatfield has denied all allegations of assault, but his attorney said the two had a consensual “affair” starting when she was an adult.

Current House Speaker Jason Wentworth (R-Clare) has ordered all House members and staff to retain any documents that may be of interest to the pending investigation, including emails, memos, calendars and voicemails.