TAINTED BUCKS
Mother’s adage to be careful of who you play with can also come in handy when it comes to politics. That is especially true for those who have played in the same financial sandbox as former Michigan state Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield (R- Levering), who was recently accused of sexual abuse by his sister-in-law. Chatfield had been named as an advisor to Republican gubernatorial candidate James Craig, the two were photographed together, and Chatfield was known as a prolific fundraiser, with his four political action committees (PACs) raising a total of $2.9 million in 2019 and 2020, giving out $2.8 million to Republican candidates and causes. Just for comparison, current Senate Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) raised $564,160 in two PACs. Because of course everything is always political, Michigan Democratic Chair Lavora Barnes called on Craig do “disavow campaign advisor Lee Chatfield as he faces allegations of sexual assault.” So far, Craig’s been mum.