Republicans in Michigan question AG Nessel after ex-Democrat treasurer charged with embezzlement

This week, the former Michigan Democratic Party treasurer was charged with embezzling by the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office.Traci Kornak faces three charges, including embezzling money from a vulnerable adult. Republicans in the state House say these charges are especially concerning considering a 2022 investigation by Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office of Kornak and alleged insurance fraud that “went nowhere.”
“Obviously that decision raises questions given the AG’s relationship with Traci Kornak,” said House Oversight Committee Vice Chair Rep. Matthew Bierlein, R-Vassar. “With the timeline that was presented to us, closing the investigation and not pursuing charges unfortunately led to continued exploitation and misconduct.”
Kornak served as treasurer of the Michigan Democratic Party from spring 2019 until May 2025. She was also a member of Nessel’s transition committee in 2018.
According to testimony heard by the Oversight Committee this week, Kornak allegedly embezzled money from an elderly woman she was the conservator for.
Identified as Rosalene Burd, the victim allegedly told Adult Protective Services that she was being “watched” by Kornak. The committee also heard testimony that Kornak also transferred or withdrew more than $400,000 from Burd’s accounts, which Republicans say was allowed to continue because of “inaction” from Nessel.
“Whether that was through sheer incompetence or a conflict of interest regarding her relationship with Traci Kornak, AG Nessel fell short in her responsibilities,” said House Oversight Committee Chair Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township. “Just because this was a successive investigation doesn’t mean the AG did her job. It means someone else did her job for her.”
The investigation by Adult Protective Services and the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office has been ongoing for three years. Burd is now deceased, but Kornak could face upwards of 15 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
While unconnected from Kornak’s service to the Michigan Democratic Party, Michigan Republicans are still expressing concern with Nessel’s involvement in the case and her alleged lack of transparency.
Recently, the committee heard lengthy testimony regarding the allegations against Kornak and her relationship to Nessel. That testimony included reports that showed Nessel asked staff for “urgency” in wrapping up the 2022 Kornak investigation.
“We held hearings, subpoenaed records and took hours of testimony to try and get to the bottom of this,” said Rep. Josh Schriver, R-Oxford. “Today’s charges show we were right to push back. Dana Nessel tried to make this case go away, and she was dead wrong.”
By the time of publication, Nessel’s office had not responded to a request for comment from TCS.

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