All About Brett LaChappelle – Fraud Files Blog

Brett LaChappelle has presented himself in recent years as a life coach, church leader, and community volunteer. His self-written biographies describe him as a recreation superintendent, special needs aide, and participant in outreach and mission trips. Online profiles highlight his background in conflict resolution, public speaking, and mentoring, as well as volunteer work with organizations such as The Salvation Army and The Haven Men’s Homeless Shelter.

Court records, however, reveal a very different side of LaChappelle’s history.

Criminal Charges and Convictions

In 2021, while employed as a supervisor for the Two Rivers Parks and Recreation Department, LaChappelle was charged with 37 felonies related to theft from the city. According to police reports, he used city credit cards to make personal purchases and falsified receipts to disguise them as business expenses. The total amount taken exceeded $20,000.

During questioning, LaChappelle admitted that his actions were not driven by financial need but by what he described as “gluttony and greed.” He told investigators he had engaged in dishonest conduct for years and acknowledged that he expected to eventually be caught.

On June 24, 2022, LaChappelle pleaded no contest to four felony counts. The remaining charges were dismissed but considered during sentencing. On September 8, 2022, he was sentenced to six months in jail with work-release privileges, four years of probation, and ordered to pay restitution. He ultimately served his time on electronic monitoring and was released from probation early after restitution was paid.

A History of Financial Misconduct

The Parks and Recreation case was not LaChappelle’s first encounter with financial impropriety. Over the past several decades, multiple individuals and organizations have reported losses tied to his actions. Victims have included family members, churches where he held leadership roles, and employers.

In each instance, those affected often chose not to pursue legal action, opting instead to sever ties. This pattern allowed LaChappelle to move between roles and communities despite allegations of financial misconduct.

Public Image Efforts

Despite these records, LaChappelle continues to describe himself online as a mentor, counselor, and faith-based leader. Biographical sites on platforms such as Strikingly, WordPress, Weebly, and CakeResume portray him as a trusted professional with a history of service. These profiles make no mention of his felony convictions.

This type of self-published content has the effect of pushing favorable information higher in search results, while downplaying or excluding details about criminal charges and court outcomes.

The Record That Remains

LaChappelle has been a resident of Two Rivers for more than 25 years. In addition to his online profiles, he continues to highlight hobbies such as gardening, woodworking, and travel.

The official record, however, reflects both his 2022 felony conviction and a broader history of financial misconduct. While his public image emphasizes service and mentorship, the court documents show repeated violations of trust involving family, churches, employers, and taxpayers.