Longtime Democrat Treasurer, Whitmer Donor Charged in Elder Abuse Case

Lansing, MI – Traci Kornak, the former treasurer of the Michigan Democrat Party, member of Dana Nessel’s Attorney General transition team, and donor to Democrats like Governor Gretchen Whitmer, has been charged with multiple crimes in Kent County related to her time as an advocate for an elderly woman, Rose Burd. 

The charges include one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult of $50,000 or more but less than $100,000, one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, and one count of false pretenses of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000.

Over the course of a months-long investigation, reports of serious misconduct were discovered, including Kornak placing cameras in Burd’s bedroom, attempting to record Burd’s private conversations, and the embezzlement of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

According to The Michigan Enjoyer, Attorney General Dana Nessel attempted to have the case quashed before conducting a full investigation. Subpoenaed emails from Nessel’s office showed that Traci personally contacted Nessel, noting the investigation into the alleged misconduct was stopping Gretchen Whitmer from appointing Kornak as a judge. Nessel sent a memo in 2022 recommending that the case be closed.

“Despite Dana Nessel’s best efforts, Traci Kornak will have to face the music in a court of law,” said Gabe Butzke, a spokesperson for Michigan Forward Network. “Gretchen Whitmer did want to see Kornak in a courtroom, but I’m not sure this is what she had in mind.”