Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced on May 6 that Fay Beydoun, of Farmington Hills, faces 16 felony charges for allegedly stealing and misusing a $20 million state legislative grant awarded to Global Link International. The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into the administration and use of the grant funds.
The case is significant because it involves allegations of fraudulent use of public money intended for economic development. Prosecutors say the alleged actions undermined trust in state oversight and highlighted weaknesses in how such grants are awarded and monitored.
According to Nessel, “Today, we allege Fay Beydoun sought and received a $20 million ‘Michigan enhancement grant’ from the state Legislature, operated a criminal enterprise to use those funds for personal expenses and her own enrichment, and lied repeatedly when reporting how she used those funds.” She also said, “The process by which this ‘grant’ was proposed, developed, awarded, and administered bears practically zero semblance to the traditional grant process, and was only made possible through a system that pairs political cronyism with minimal oversight.”
Nessel further said that reforms have since been enacted: “Since the enactment of the Global Link grant, some significant reforms have been enacted by the Legislature. These reforms are meaningful, but with millions of dollars in public funding at hand, the State and each of its agencies must do more to prevent abuses of state funds and to require responsible administration of enhancement grants — regardless of whether their recipients enjoy positions of power, privilege, and political connections.”
Beydoun has been charged in Farmington Hills District Court with conducting a criminal enterprise; seven counts of uttering and publishing; forgery; larceny by conversion over $20,000; as well as six counts relating to larceny by conversion between $1,000-$20,000. Authorities allege she forged documents presented to Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), misrepresented expenses including personal legal fees as business costs for Global Link International’s accelerator program in Oakland County—while serving on MEDC’s Executive Committee—and submitted false reports regarding lease agreements or event costs.
Investigators say no businesses relocated due to Global Link International’s efforts while Beydoun maintained a salary exceeding half a million dollars annually. The Department opened its probe into these matters in 2024 after financial irregularities led MEDC to terminate the grant in March 2025. In September 2025 authorities froze over $6.3 million still held in accounts linked to Beydoun.
An arraignment date has not yet been set. Officials remind that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
