In a significant development in Michigan’s political landscape, Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced that no further charges are anticipated in the case involving a former top House aide accused of misappropriating funds from a $25 million health facility project in Clare.
David Coker, a former aide to ex-House Speaker Jason Wentworth, faces allegations of spending $820,000 intended for the health project on personal items like coins, gold bars, and firearm accessories. During a press briefing, Nessel highlighted the importance of scrutinizing grant seekers without relevant experience.
“They have no track record,” she emphasized. “They can’t show that they’ve done anything in terms of major projects that have been successful of this kind or really even any kind at all. So, that’s a major red flag.”
The earmark in question was inserted into the 2023 state budget without attributing a specific sponsor, a practice that was permissible at the time. However, the Michigan Legislature has since revised its rules to mandate that all earmarks must have a clearly identified sponsor, with sponsors’ names disclosed prior to budget votes.
Nessel expressed approval of these changes, remarking, “I’m very encouraged by these actions to bring more sunshine into the appropriations process and support any further guardrails the Legislature sees fit to prevent fraudsters from stealing our hard-working tax dollars.”
Coker now faces seven felony charges related to the alleged misuse of public funds, which reportedly included the use of falsified invoices through his consulting firm. Coker’s non-profit, Complete Health Park, received $9.9 million from the grant before the funding was suspended. The Attorney General’s office is exploring possibilities to recover the funds already disbursed.
The organization paid $3.5 million for the property acquired from State Representative Tom Kunse (R-Clare), who is not accused of any wrongdoing. Coker’s legal representative, Joshua Blanchard, contends that his client has been transparent with state authorities. Blanchard stated, “He disclosed everything to the state, been aboveboard about every bit of it all along and, for whatever reason, Dana’s office decided they wanted a press conference and so they issued charges.”
The legal proceedings will move forward with a preliminary hearing set for May 23, where the state will present its charges and evidence to a judge.
In addition to Coker’s case, Nessel’s office is investigating two other potential instances of earmark fraud. These include expenditures by a non-profit led by businesswoman and Democratic Party donor Fay Beydoun, who is alleged to have used funds for a $4,500 coffeemaker and first-class travel, as well as a $2 million grant designated for a study on introducing low-orbit rocket launch sites to Michigan.
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