BREAKING: The CEO of a Battle Creek nonprofit, Damon Dupree Brown, has been charged with welfare fraud after allegedly defrauding the state of over $20,000. Brown, aged 47, was arrested on December 22, 2023, and subsequently arraigned in Calhoun County District Court on December 23, 2023. He faces one count of welfare fraud exceeding $500.
New reports indicate that Brown is accused of applying for and receiving food assistance from 2020 to 2024, while misrepresenting his income on multiple applications. Court documents reveal that he claimed either no income or less than $2,000 per month. However, tax records show a stark contrast, with Brown earning over $77,000 in 2021, nearly $118,000 in 2022, and just over $126,000 in 2023.
Brown, a Battle Creek native, previously served 12 years in prison for drug-related charges. He founded R.I.S.E. Corp. (Reintegration to Support and Empower) in 2017 to assist youth in avoiding the pitfalls of crime and violence. During an interview just days before his arrest, he emphasized the importance of teaching responsibility to the community’s youth, aiming to uplift and guide them toward a better future.
In addition to the welfare fraud charge, Brown is facing multiple pending charges, including possession of stolen property, carrying a concealed weapon as a prohibited person, and resisting/obstructing a police officer.
The implications of this case are significant, raising questions about the integrity of nonprofit leaders and the impact on those they serve. As the community processes this shocking news, attention now turns to how the nonprofit will manage its operations amid these serious allegations.
As this story develops, further updates will be provided. Community members are encouraged to stay informed as more details emerge from the ongoing investigation.
