BREAKING: The CEO of a Battle Creek nonprofit, Damon Dupree Brown, has been charged with welfare fraud after allegedly defrauding the state of more than $20,000 over a four-year period. Brown, 47, was arrested on December 22, 2023, and has been arraigned in Calhoun County District Court on charges of welfare fraud exceeding $500.
New reports confirm that Brown applied for and received food assistance from 2020 to 2024, while falsely declaring his income on official applications. Court documents obtained by WMMT News Channel 3 reveal that he claimed either no income or less than $2,000 per month, despite tax records showing his earnings exceeded $77,000 in 2021, $118,000 in 2022, and over $126,000 in 2023.
This shocking development raises serious questions about the integrity of nonprofits and the responsibility of their leaders. Brown founded R.I.S.E. Corp. (Reintegration to Support and Empower) in 2017, aiming to help disconnected youth reintegrate into society. His nonprofit work has been highlighted as a positive influence in the community, especially following his own tumultuous past, including a 12-year prison sentence for drug-related offenses.
Just days before his arrest, Brown participated in a major community event, Winter Jam 2025, at Kellogg Arena, where he emphasized the importance of teaching youth responsibility. “We have got to be able to teach these kids responsibility and how to be responsible adults,” he stated in an interview with MLive, sparking discussions among attendees about his dual role as a community leader and a defendant.
In addition to the welfare fraud charge, Brown is facing several other legal issues, including possessing stolen property, carrying a concealed weapon as a prohibited person, and resisting or obstructing a police officer, according to jail records.
The implications of this case are profound, both for the community of Battle Creek and for the nonprofit sector as a whole. With public trust in community organizations on the line, this incident could lead to increased scrutiny and calls for reform in how such organizations are managed and monitored.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the case develops. Community members and stakeholders are urged to stay informed as this situation unfolds, given its potential impact on local youth programs and the trust in nonprofit leadership.
This urgent update has sparked outrage and concern among residents, emphasizing the need for accountability in organizations that claim to uplift and support the community. Share this story to raise awareness about the ongoing situation and its ramifications for Battle Creek and beyond.
