In an announcement that underscores the imperative for fidelity in the stewardship of public funds, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has brought forth multiple felony charges against David Coker Jr., the founder of Complete Health Park. As reported by Michigan's Official Government website, Coker, 51, of Clare, is accused of misusing state grant funds to develop a health and recreation complex.
Funds that should have bolstered a community's health and wellness allegedly lined Coker's pockets. A $25 million grant, part of the 2023 State Budget for a "community health campus pilot project" and earmarked by former Speaker of the House Jason Wentworth, is at the heart of this imbroglio. Coker, whose non-profit establishment predated signing the state budget by one month, was later given carte blanche over the non-profit’s finances. It's alleged that Health Park's board authorized an arrangement with IW Consulting, an entity owned and operated by Coker himself, without due disclosure of this affiliation to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
The crux of the charges revolves around a financial status report Coker submitted to MDHHS in December 2022, which preceded a disbursement of $9.9 million in grant funds. On the very day these funds were released, Coker is accused of initiating a transfer of $820,632 to IW Consulting for "other expenses," an action that has cast a shadow on the integrity of the grant disbursement process. Allegedly, Coker had not disclosed his role with IW Consulting before the release of the funds, thereby enmeshing himself in a conflict of interest.
"The vast majority of projects that are funded through our state appropriations process support valuable, much needed programing in our communities," said Nessel, in a sentiment betrayed by the actions of Coker. According to Michigan's Official Government press release, she alleges that Coker secured the contract under pretenses, wherein he embezzled funds and violated the law and public trust. Her office has expressed readiness to investigate and prosecute such malfeasance.
Charges against Coker include: one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, one count of Larceny by False Pretenses in an amount greater than $100,000, two counts of Larceny by False Pretenses for submitting fraudulent invoices from IW Consulting, two counts of Embezzlement by an Agent more than $100,000, and one count of Misappropriation of Public Monies. As per the allegations, the invoices from IW Consulting, both created and approved by Coker, grossly overstated the rendered services' value in what is claimed to be a scheme to divert public funds for personal gain.
The 54A District Court will hold a preliminary exam for Coker on May 30.
