Former legislative aide (R) charged with embezzlement in $25M Clare earmark scandal
LANSING — A former aide to a powerful Michigan lawmaker has been charged with multiple counts of embezzlement and running a criminal enterprise, allegedly using state money intended for a health and fitness center in Clare to buy gold coins, gold bars, silver, platinum, vehicles and firearm accessories.
David Coker, 51, of Clare had been under investigation for roughly two years after creating a nonprofit that secured a $25 million no-bid grant written into a state budget by his former boss, then-House Speaker Jason Wentworth.
Attorney General Dana Nessel's office, which took over the investigation in late 2023, on Wednesday filed multiple felony charges against Coker in Lansing's 54A District Court. He is accused of "defrauding" the state and “enriching himself” by using some of the grant money to purchase "vehicles, firearm accessories and precious metals," according to a complaint read in court.
After his morning arrest in Clare, Coker was transported to Ingham County Jail. He was arraigned by video around 1:30 p.m. before District Court Judge Kristen D. Simmons, where his attorney said he "absolutely" plans to fight the charges.
Coker, who previously led the Clare County Republican Party and more recently headed the Clare Chamber of Commerce, has "worked tirelessly to bring transformative change" to the area, defense attorney Josh Blanchard added in a statement.
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/former-legislative-aide-charged-embezzlement-25m-clare-earmark-scandal
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