LANSING—Lee Chatfield's wife is coming to his defense, casting doubt on claims that the former Michigan House Speaker sexually assaulted his future sister-in-law when she was a teen student at the Christian academy where he taught.
In a statement released on her behalf by an attorney Thursday, Stephanie Chatfield acknowledged her husband has had numerous affairs, but she said there is "no question" each of them was "consensual," including what became a decade-long relationship with Rebekah Chatfield.
"The Chatfield family is working through the pain as a family that Mr. Chatfield has caused, and Mrs. Chatfield unconditionally supports Mr. Chatfield as he asks for forgiveness and works to make amends with those he has so deeply hurt," attorney Matt Newburg of Grand Ledge wrote in the statement.
"Simply put, Rebekah’s allegations are false," read the statement, which drew a sharp response from Rebekah Chatfield’s attorney.
Rebekah Chatfield, in a police report and in numerous interviews with Bridge Michigan, alleged Lee Chatfield first assaulted her when she was a 15- or 16-year-old student at Northern Michigan Christian Academy in Burt Lake, a private school run by the Chatfield family where Lee taught and coached soccer.
Their relationship continued into 2021, said Rebekah, who is now 26. She described her home life as a teen as chaotic and said Lee Chatfield used those vulnerabilities to isolate her. While she acknowledged she at times initiated contact with Lee, Rebekah...
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