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PHM Trustee Matt Chaffee Breaks Silence on Misch's Actions
- Logan Foster
- Feb 5
- 3 min read
February 5th, 2025 – Penn-Harris-Madison (PHM) School Board Trustee Matt Chaffee has publicly addressed the matter involving prominent local attorney Michael Misch. Chaffee’s statement comes in light of recent charges filed by the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission against Misch on January 31, 2025, alleging professional misconduct in multiple cases, including conduct connected to Chaffee.
“At the center of all of this has always been my son, Lucas,” Chaffee wrote in his statement, acknowledging the personal toll Misch's actions have taken on his family. “Michael Misch has caused my family and me a great deal of pain and suffering. His actions negatively impacted our lives and most importantly, the life of my son."
Chaffee’s statement hints at hope for resolution, describing the disciplinary complaint as “just the beginning of much more to come.”
Background of the Case
Michael Misch, an attorney in St. Joseph County, faces allegations across several professional conduct violations outlined in the disciplinary complaint, impacting various individuals and entities. Among these allegations, Misch is accused of working with Clifton French, a local blogger who operates Real News Michiana (RNM), in a coordinated effort to harm Chaffee's reputation.
The complaint states that Misch provided French with contact information for an employee at his law firm, who allegedly had access to material that could be used against Chaffee. Text messages included in court filings reveal inflammatory exchanges between Misch and French, with French threatening to “burn [Chaffee] to the ground” through his articles. Misch is documented encouraging these actions and facilitating French’s access to private information. You can read the full exchange here:
French: I need the video of Doug Chaffee [Chaffee's father] going after your employee
French: I'm going to burn those f*ckers [the Chaffees] to the ground on Monday.
Respondent: [sends employee's contact information] She has it
Respondent: But I don't know if she will give it up
Respondent: It will be obvious where it came from
Respondent: Unless she shared it around a lot.
French: I'm going to burn those motherf*ckers to the ground.
Respondent: Please do.
French: I'll need to run it [the article] by you before I publish it.
Respondent: For sure.
French: You have 5 minutes for a call?
Respondent: I'm at a windy soccer field right now.
French: PHM School Board Member's history of prostitutes, drugs, mental illness.
Respondent: Oh sh*t...
French: That's what I'm thinking about as a headline.
Respondent: Well, it gets your attention and is accurate.
French: She [employee] wants to get permission from the partners
Respondent: Ok. I'll work on it.
French: She said that if you all are okay with it she would give it all to me. FYI-I didn't learn about any of this from you all. I was literally told about it by Doug Chaffee.
Respondent: I know.
Starting in April 2024, RNM published a series of articles targeting Chaffee, including a particularly salacious headline alleging personal misconduct by the PHM board member. The articles sought to undermine Chaffee's character following his election to the school board.
Broader Context of Misch’s Actions
The disciplinary charges against Misch extend far beyond Chaffee, encompassing alleged violations tied to his conduct as legal counsel for various parties. Misch has also been accused of unethical actions involving misuse of charitable funds, conflicts of interest, and providing improper legal advice to a St. Joseph Probate Court judge. These cases cumulatively paint a portrait of professional misconduct that the Commission deemed severe enough to warrant investigation and formal charges.
Chaffee’s Perspective
While Chaffee has largely maintained his silence throughout the controversy, his recent statement underscores his faith in the justice system and his gratitude to those who supported him during this tumultuous time. “To those of you who have stood by me and my family, I am forever grateful. You know who you are, and so do I. Most importantly, God knows, too. I give all the glory to Him,” Chaffee shared.
Misch has yet to provide public comment regarding the disciplinary complaint or Chaffee’s statement. Chaffee’s Full Statement
Misch’s Disciplinary Complaint
