Former aide to Michigan’s ex-House Speaker to stand trial on embezzlement charges 

David Coker Jr., a former aide to ex-House Speaker Jason Wentworth (R-Farwell), will stand trial in circuit court on charges including embezzlement and criminal enterprise over his management of a state grant, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office announced Wednesday. 

Nessel charged Coker in May 2025 with misusing a $25 million appropriation awarded to his nonprofit, Complete Health Park, to create a health and recreation complex. The money was included in the state’s 2023 budget through an earmark secured by Wentworth — specifically a December 2022 disbursement request to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for over $9 million, including over $820,000 categorized as “other expenses.” 

The day those funds were released, Coker allegedly transferred the same amount to IW Consulting, another firm that he owned and operated, at which point Nessel’s office said Coker then began emptying the business account into his own personal accounts. It’s alleged he then used the funds to pay off personal debts and make large purchases, including four vehicles, more than 70 silver, gold and platinum bars, at least 50 rare coins and “a few literal silver bullets.”

“I am relieved that this matter is heading to trial, where we intend to prove that Mr. Coker funneled grant money into an obscure LLC for his own personal gain – funds that were supposed to be dedicated to Clare County’s public health,” Nessel said in a press release announcing that he will stand trial in Ingham County. “Protecting taxpayer dollars is a priority for my office, and we will continue to pursue accountability in this case.”

In addition to the one count of conducting a criminal enterprise and two counts of embezzlement — both felonies — Coker also faces three counts of false pretenses, a felony, and one count of misappropriation of public monies, a misdemeanor.

The attorney general’s office began investigating Coker in August 2023 after the matter was referred to that office by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General. Nessel previously said her office’s investigation did not establish criminal wrongdoing by Wentworth.

Coker’s pretrial date has not yet been set, Nessel’s office said in the release.