Ex-Michigan Democratic Party treasurer charged with embezzling from vulnerable adult

Craig Mauger, The Detroit News on Jan 28, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

LANSING — Traci Kornak, an attorney who previously served as a treasurer for the Michigan Democratic Party, is being charged for allegedly embezzling thousands of dollars from a vulnerable adult, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced Wednesday morning.

In a brief statement, Becker, a Republican, said his office was bringing three felony charges against Kornak: two embezzlement-related counts and one count of false pretenses. The most serious charge would bring a possible penalty of 15 years behind bars.

The handling of accusations against Kornak by Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel's office has been the subject of scrutiny in Michigan's Capitol for nearly four years. The Michigan Democratic Party listed Kornak as its treasurer on filings with the Federal Election Commission from 2019 until May 2025.

Michigan Republicans have alleged that Nessel's office mishandled the Kornak probe and that Kornak abused her power as a conservator who was supposed to help an elderly woman in west Michigan oversee her finances.

Kornak, who served on Nessel's transition team in 2018, hasn't directly responded to requests for comment from The Detroit News about the claims.

Michigan House Republicans have previously released documents that showed Nessel's office opened an investigation into Kornak after reporting in The Detroit News on July 13, 2022, which said a Grand Rapids nursing home was accusing Kornak of "inappropriate and unauthorized" invoicing. A conflict wall to exclude Nessel from discussing or accessing the Kornak case was set up on Sept. 6, 2022, according to emails obtained by the GOP-led House Oversight Committee.

By Sept. 26, 2022, Lorrie Bates, a supervisory special agent within the Attorney General's office, requested that the probe into Kornak be closed.

Nessel's spokeswoman, Kim Bush, has said the office was examining potential insurance fraud. But the insurance company and the assisted living home involved in the situation didn't want to pursue a case, Bush said.

House Republicans have highlighted a Dec. 6, 2022, email in which Nessel discussed being contacted by Kornak.

The allegations against her "are apparently holding up a potential judicial appointment for her in Kent County," Nessel wrote in the Dec. 6, 2022, message to two employees in her office. "She has requested the documents from our investigation."

House Oversight Chairman Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township, has also said his committee had obtained information that indicated Nessel’s office didn't perform its due diligence in interviewing the alleged victim or a whistleblower in the fraud case involving Kornak.

House Republicans previously said the Kent County Sheriff's Office had investigated Kornak and recommended charges be brought by the Kent County Prosecutor's Office, including embezzlement from a vulnerable adult.

On Wednesday, Becker announced the three charges: embezzlement from a vulnerable adult $50,000 or more but less than $100,000; embezzlement from a vulnerable adult of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000; and false pretenses of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000.

The prosecutor's office said it had no information on when Kornak will be arraigned in the 63rd District Court.

A spokesman for the Michigan Democratic Party declined to comment Wednesday.

-------