Former Michigan Democratic Party Figure Charged with Embezzlement

A former prominent member of the Michigan Democratic Party is facing criminal charges for allegedly stealing funds from an elderly woman entrusted to her care.

Tracy Kornak has been charged with three felony counts, as stated in a release from the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office:

• One count of embezzlement of over $50,000 but less than $100,000 from a vulnerable adult.
• One count of embezzlement of over $1,000 but less than $20,000 from a vulnerable adult.
• One count of false impersonation involving more than $1,000 but less than $20,000.

If found guilty, she could face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

Interestingly, one commentator questioned the morality of such actions, comparing them to other heinous crimes. “Where do you think this ranks in terms of skullduggery? I mean, it’s not exactly on the same level as pedophilia, but still,” they said.

Kornak, who previously served as the treasurer for the Michigan Democratic Party and was part of Attorney General Dana Nessel’s 2018 transition team, has been under scrutiny since becoming the guardian of Rosaleen Byrd, a nursing home resident who sustained a serious brain injury.

She allegedly mismanaged Byrd’s funds and defrauded an insurance company by submitting inflated claims for caregiving services rendered by individuals lacking proper medical credentials.

Whistleblower Joe LeBlanc, a former director of the facility where Byrd lived, alleged that Kornak used the nursing home’s tax ID and documents from another organization to create fake invoices amounting to nearly $50,000 over a span of two years.

LeBlanc recounted witnessing a check exceeding $23,000 in November 2021, adding that when he confronted Kornak about it, she suggested exchanging it for cash and offered him “a little something for his troubles.” This raises questions about the operations surrounding Byrd’s accounts.

Byrd, unfortunately, passed away, and a journalist later reported that her debit card was used the very next day.

Due to the close relationship between Kornak and Nessel, in September 2022 it was ordered that there be a “wall of separation” to ensure Nessel did not interfere with the state investigation into Kornak.

However, further revelations indicated that Nessel sent an email in December 2022 mentioning the investigation and hinting at Kornak’s political aspirations, leading to even more controversy.

This inquiry by the AG’s office concluded just two weeks later without any further charges against Kornak. Questions lingered about whether favoritism might have influenced the lack of action.

Charlie LeDuff has kept the issue alive, consistently questioning Kornak about Byrd’s finances even months after the initial reports. His persistence highlights a continuing concern around accountability in what some consider a troubling situation.

Michigan Republican lawmakers have repeatedly hinted at the possibility of impeachment for Nessel in connection with the Kornak investigation. Some reports also implicated Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer in this unfolding drama, suggesting she had intentions to appoint Kornak to a judicial position after the investigation was resolved.

Requests for comments were made to Nessel’s office, Whitmer’s office, Kornak’s attorney, and the Michigan Democratic Party, but responses were not forthcoming.