An Eaton County man accused of stealing thousands of dollars from U.P. state forest campground pay pipes is set to appear in Luce County Circuit Court on Monday.

Justyn Mark Spitzley, 36, of Sunfield faces 13 charges, including 12 felonies, after an investigation revealed he allegedly broke into multiple campground pay stations over the past two years.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers, working with Michigan State Police and local law enforcement, conducted a surveillance operation that led to Spitzley’s arrest last October. Authorities say he was caught with stolen cash, burglary tools and other evidence.

Former speaker facing charges of misusing funds

Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield and his wife, Stephanie Chatfield, are facing corruption charges, accused of misusing campaign, nonprofit and taxpayer funds to finance a lavish lifestyle.

Prosecutors in the Michigan Attorney General’s Office allege Chatfield used the funds for luxury trips to the Bahamas and Disney World, designer purchases from Coach and Ugg and a $500 charge to TouchTunes, a digital jukebox service commonly found in bars and restaurants.

A significant portion of the allegedly misused funds is tied to the Peninsula Fund, a nonprofit operated by Chatfield’s former top aides, who are also facing corruption charges.

Gilchrist running for governor

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, who spent a day in Munising last month during an official visit to the Upper Peninsula, has entered the race to become Michigan’s next governor.

A former software engineer who grew up in Detroit, Gilchrist had little political experience when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer selected him to be her running mate in 2018.

The race to succeed Whitmer could become crowded. In addition to Gilchrist, the battle for the Democratic nomination features Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s secretary of state.

On the Republican side, Rep. John James and Mike Cox, the state’s former attorney general, are considering runs.