Michigan donor under scrutiny for $20M grant misallocation by Whitmer’s team

 October 15, 2025

Hold onto your wallets, folks—Michigan’s taxpayer dollars are once again caught in a political whirlwind under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s watch.

A staggering $20 million grant meant for a business initiative has been misdirected to a political ally, sparking an embezzlement probe and casting fresh doubt on the Whitmer administration’s fiscal oversight, as Breitbart reports.

Let’s rewind to the 2022-2023 state budget, where a legislative earmark of $20 million was designated for an international business incubator to boost Michigan’s economy. The plan was to funnel this money to the American-Arab Chamber of Commerce for a worthy cause. But somehow, the funds ended up in the hands of Fay Beydoun, a Whitmer appointee and longtime Democratic supporter.

Grant Misstep Sparks Embezzlement Investigation

Now, Beydoun finds herself under investigation for allegedly misusing these taxpayer funds. It’s not a good look when public money intended for community growth appears to be diverted to a political insider.

The Chamber’s chair, Ahmad Chebbani, was reportedly assured by state officials that the administration believed the money was meant for his organization. “It was the Whitmer administration’s understanding that the funds were intended to go to the chamber,” Chebbani stated, per court documents from Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office. Well, if that was the understanding, how did such a colossal mix-up happen on Whitmer’s watch?

Adding to the confusion, then-House Speaker Jason Wentworth was listed as the sponsor of this earmark but has firmly denied any role in pushing it forward. Sounds like someone in Lansing needs to get their story straight—or at least check the memo twice before signing off on millions.

Whitmer’s Team Scrambles with Apologies

By 2023, Whitmer’s chief of staff, Joanne Huls, was dispatched to the American-Arab Chamber of Commerce to offer an apology for the misallocated grant. A personal mea culpa is nice, but it doesn’t exactly bring back $20 million to where it belongs.

This isn’t the first time Whitmer’s administration has faced questions over financial stewardship. Back in late 2020, an independent audit revealed that up to $1.5 billion in fraudulent unemployment benefit claims were paid out under her leadership. That’s a jaw-dropping sum, and it raises serious concerns about accountability in Lansing.

Then there’s the eyebrow-raising incident in 2021, when Whitmer took a hush-hush trip to Florida on a private jet. Initially, she claimed to have covered the cost herself, but the narrative shifted faster than a politician dodging a tough question.

Private Jet Scandal Adds to Woes

“She traveled at her own expense,” Whitmer first insisted, only to later clarify that the trip was “not a gift” and not funded by taxpayers. If you’re keeping score, that’s two explanations for one flight—and neither inspires much confidence in transparency.

Huls eventually told MIRS News that the $27,521 flight was paid by a 501(c)(4) nonprofit tied to Whitmer’s transition efforts, dubbed the “Executive Office Account.” But the lingering question remains: Was this payment plan always the intent, or did it materialize only after the trip hit the headlines?

Breitbart News later reported that this secretive jaunt was putting Whitmer’s political future at risk. When even a flight becomes a scandal, it’s a sign that public trust might be running on fumes.

Pattern of Financial Missteps Emerges

These incidents paint a troubling picture of an administration that seems to stumble over its own fiscal feet time and again. From billions in questionable unemployment payouts to a multimillion-dollar grant gone astray, Michigan taxpayers have every right to demand answers.

While Whitmer’s team may argue these are isolated errors, the pattern suggests otherwise—a pattern of mismanagement that hits hardworking citizens right in the pocketbook. It’s not about pointing fingers for sport; it’s about ensuring public funds aren’t treated like a political slush fund.

At the end of the day, Michigan deserves leadership that prioritizes transparency over excuses and accountability over apologies. The $20 million grant debacle, coupled with past controversies, should serve as a wake-up call for better oversight. Let’s hope Lansing takes note before the next headline writes itself.