Ex-aide to former House speaker charged with embezzlement

A former aide to former House Speaker Jason Wentworth (R-Farwell) has been charged with multiple counts of embezzlement and criminal enterprise.

Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office has been investigating David Coker Jr., 51, of Clare, since late 2023.

A spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Attorney General confirmed for the Michigan Advance that their office fulfilled search and arrest warrants as part of a “high-profile” investigation Wednesday morning but said Nessel will make more information available Thursday.

Court records confirm Coker was arraigned Wednesday in Lansing’s 54A District Court on seven charges. A probable cause conference is set for May 23.

Coker created a nonprofit that was awarded a $25 million no-bid grant written into the state budget by Wentworth, his former boss, Bridge Michigan reports.

Current House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) said in a statement that “shady deals like this were the norm in Lansing for far too long.”

He said the deal demonstrates the need for a package of government ethics and transparency bills he sponsored.

“We’re going to let the Attorney General do her job and see this investigation through, keep an eye on what comes out during the proceedings to see if other changes are needed and continue passing new ethics and transparency measures across state government,” Hall said.