Former Michigan Democratic Party Treasurer Charged with Embezzlement

Traci Kornak faces felony charges amid scrutiny over ties to Attorney General Dana Nessel

Jan. 28, 2026 at 3:39pm

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A former Michigan Democratic Party treasurer, Traci Kornak, has been charged with felony embezzlement from a client for whom she was a conservator. The case comes amid Republican lawmakers' scrutiny of why the state Attorney General's office closed an investigation into Kornak-related allegations in 2022.

Why it matters

The charges against Kornak, who served on Dana Nessel's transition team after Nessel was elected state attorney general, have raised questions about potential political connections and the handling of the initial investigation by the AG's office.

The details

Kornak, a Grand Rapids-area lawyer, has been charged with two counts of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult, one count of false pretenses, and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. The probe began with a referral from Adult Protective Services after a whistleblower at an assisted living facility alleged Kornak fraudulently billed an insurance company. The AG's office previously closed an investigation into the matter, citing a lack of cooperation from the whistleblower and the facility.

  • In December 2022, the Michigan Attorney General's office closed an investigation into a complaint from a whistleblower at an assisted living facility.
  • In January 2023, Adult Protective Services launched a probe and concluded that Kornak's conservatee, Rosalene Burd, was a victim of financial exploitation.
  • On January 28, 2026, Kornak was charged with felony embezzlement by the Kent County Prosecutor's office.

The players

Traci Kornak

A former Michigan Democratic Party treasurer who served on Dana Nessel's transition team and is now facing felony charges of embezzlement from a client for whom she was a conservator.

Dana Nessel

The Michigan Attorney General whose office previously closed an investigation into allegations against Kornak.

Christopher Becker

The Kent County Prosecutor who announced the charges against Kornak.

Rosalene Burd

Kornak's conservatee, who died in 2025 at the age of 86 after sustaining a brain injury in an auto crash years earlier.

Joe LeBlanc

A former executive at the assisted living facility where Burd lived, who alleged that Kornak fraudulently billed an insurance company.

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What they’re saying

“We handle embezzlement cases quite a bit. This is a normal procedure. I became aware obviously but at the time I wasn't aware the AG took at it or anything like that. I don't know what they looked at exactly.”

— Christopher Becker, Kent County Prosecutor

“The Attorney General is grateful that these successive investigations occurred, but the underlying allegations that spurred these efforts were distinct and different from those before the Department of Attorney General.”

— Kim Bush, Spokesperson for Attorney General Dana Nessel

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow Traci Kornak out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights concerns about potential political connections and the handling of investigations, as well as the importance of protecting vulnerable adults from financial exploitation.