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MISHAWAKA, Ind. — A Penn Harris Madison Schools parent took to the podium during the Penn Harris Madison School Board meeting on Monday to go on a crazed rant against retired Homicide Unit commander Tim Corbett for having a contract with the school district in which he provides security consulting. The reason? The parent is upset Corbett is also currently investigating a “conservative” member of the school board in a separate capacity for alleged crimes.
“Last month you approved a contract for Tim Corbett to continue being paid by taxpayers as a consultant. What does he consult on?” Parent Kristie Witt started her speech saying before falsely accusing Corbett of harassing parents and teachers. “Every meeting he sits out in his truck out front. Is he taking pictures of the community? Is he running license plates? Is he doing background checks on all the parents who are coming in every month?”
“He has a conflict of interest.” Witt, who is an Oncology Specialist for Advanced Accelerator Applications, continued in her crazed rant. “He is investigating board members… an ex-homicide detective and private investigator, how are they a benefit to PHM taxpayers?… by not breaking this relationship it looks nefarious and suspicious to all.” (Her entire speech can be seen here starting at the 11:50 mark.)
Witt is a member of the “conservative” parent group called “Strengthen Our Schools” (SOS). SOS has been vocally supporting school board member Matt Chaffee despite confirmed reports of Chaffee’s admitted addiction to prostitutes, drugs, alcohol and gambling. Chaffee has also been credibly accused of stalking multiple women and is currently under investigation for his alleged involvement in an illegal college sports gambling operation. Corbett has been looking into many of those allegations in a private capacity.
“PHM has nothing to do with any of my investigations.” Corbett told RNM. “I was contacted by people outside of the school district about allegations involving Mr. Matt Chaffee and his behavior outside of his capacity as a school board member. I have an obligation to look into the allegations.”
“Obviously what (Witt) is trying to do is create a scenario in which people are paranoid and suspicious. That is not the case. That is a complete lie and fabrication. No basis at all except for paranoia.” Corbett said to RNM. “I’m protecting the community, that’s what I do. Perhaps she needs to go back in her house and put her tinfoil hat back on. Nobody is being followed, stalked or harassed. I’m there to protect. That’s it.”
During last month’s school board meeting, Chaffee attempted to retaliate against Corbett by nixing his security consulting contract. While Chaffee’s attempt failed, he has now recruited multiple members of the SOS group to speak out against Corbett and his employment with PHM.
Corbett retired in 2018 after 44 years in law enforcement. He served as the Commander of the St. Joseph County Homicide Unit for 17 years — during which it was one of the most successful homicide units in the country. Corbett was also a sex crimes detective and has an extensive background in threat assessments. Corbett currently has a private investigation firm, Crobett Investigations, in which he investigates a host of alleged criminal behavior for private clients and law firms. He is also a volunteer detective with the Mishawaka Police Department, solely focusing on unsolved homicides for free. For the past several years, Corbett has maintained a contract with the PHM School Corporation to provide security and threat assessment consulting.
Members of SOS also successfully had a conservative parent and retired Army Veteran kicked off the general election ballot for using his nickname of “MAGA”. Ben Dallas was planning to run for a PHM School Board seat this fall, however, two SOS members filed challenges to his candidacy for his choice of nickname. The SOS group is currently supporting candidate Doug Chaffee for that position. Doug Chaffee is school board member Matt Chaffee’s father. Doug Chaffee was also recently served with a protection order after he viciously attacked a young single mother.
SOS is a St. Joseph County GOP sanctioned group. Leaders from the group get speaking time at the party’s monthly meetings. REAL News Michiana reached out to party leadership for comment regarding the GOP’s relationship with SOS and if it will continue. As of publication, we have not received a response.
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