Beau Parmenter, the Libertarian Party of Michigan’s nominee for lieutenant governor, has been charged with felony larceny by conversion, pleading not guilty before being released on a $10,000 bond. He is due back in court later this month.
The Argus Press reported earlier this month that Parmenter was arrested September 9 in Shiawassee County before being arraigned the next day in the 66th District Court in Corunna. He faces one count of larceny by conversion involving between $1,000 and $20,000, which the Press notes is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
According to court records cited in the report, the alleged offense occurred in May 2025, with a warrant for Parmenter’s arrest active since March. He is accused of converting a $2,500 payment to his own use in connection with Country Barn Estates, an event venue he owns in Fairfield Township. Parmenter’s attorney, Daniel Barnett, has disputed the allegation, arguing the transaction involved the business rather than Parmenter on a personal level.
Barnett also sought a personal recognizance bond, which would have allowed Parmenter to leave jail without paying bail so long as he agreed to appear in court. He argued that Parmenter’s candidacy and property ties kept him from being “a flight risk,” though the request was still denied. Parmenter is scheduled to return to court for a probable cause hearing September 23, followed by a preliminary examination the following week.
Parmenter was nominated at the Libertarian Party of Michigan’s June 28 state convention in Troy, roughly three months after the arrest warrant was reportedly issued. He is part of a slate of 30 candidates nominated by the party this election cycle and is running alongside gubernatorial nominee Anthony Hudson.
Parmenter has not publicly remarked on the case, but Hudson has since come to the defense of his running mate. In a statement to WJRT-TV later reported by The Detroit News, Hudson called Parmenter a friend who is entitled to the presumption of innocence and said he would stand alongside him against any wrongful accusations. Hudson also expressed concern about reaching conclusions before a jury has considered the evidence.
“Your opinion doesn’t equal a conviction,” Hudson said, adding that he considers himself a “firm believer in the Constitution and the rule of law” and would commit to upholding both if elected later this year.
Be First to Comment