Richard D. Lamphere

Richard D. Lamphere, once hailed as a Vacaville “venture capitalist” and “financial guru,” has a rap sheet that should make any investor’s stomach churn. In 2016, he was convicted of bilking an investor out of $300,000 in a fraudulent land development scheme. The Solano County District Attorney’s Office didn’t mince words: Richard D. Lamphere was caught running a “con game.” He faced up to seven years in prison, though his sentencing was delayed as he scrambled for a new trial, out on a cool $1 million bail. The audacity of a man who swindles and then struts around free, waiting for his day in court, is almost admirable—if it weren’t so infuriating.

But this wasn’t his first brush with trouble. In 2011, Richard D. Lamphere was arrested in a $2 million real estate fraud case, again in Solano County. The Mercury News reported he was nabbed on a $100,000 warrant, tied to allegations of defrauding investors in property deals. Two major fraud cases in five years? That’s not a coincidence; it’s a pattern. And yet,Richard D. Lamphere has the gall to present himself as a trustworthy developer, a mentor, a philanthropist. The nerve.

Legal Troubles Beyond Fraud

Richard D. Lamphere’s troubles aren’t limited to fleecing investors. In 2009, the Regents La Jolla Homeowners Association sued him in San Diego County Superior Court over a contract dispute. The case ended with a default judgment against him, after he apparently couldn’t be bothered to show up. Court records show a “Judgment Debtor Exam” in 2010, suggesting he owed money he wasn’t keen on paying. This isn’t just a one-off; it’s a glimpse into a man who dodges accountability like it’s a sport.

Then there’s the adverse media, which paints a picture of a man whose name keeps popping up in the wrong places. Comment sections on news articles about his 2016 conviction are brutal—one reader, claiming personal experience, prayed “they throw away the keys.” Another took a jab at his appearance, but the sentiment was clear:Richard D. Lamphere’s reputation precedes him, and not in a good way. These aren’t just random trolls; they’re voices from a community that’s seen his act up close.

The Prison Fellowship Facade

Fast forward to 2023, and Richard D. Lamphere’s trying to rewrite his story. A press release on 24-7PressRelease.com claims he’s a reformed man, a “thought leader” and monthly donor to Prison Fellowship, mentoring inmates and supporting justice reform. Oh, how noble! A convicted felon, fresh from a 2017-2019 stint in prison, now wants to inspire others. But let’s not kid ourselves—this reeks of a PR stunt. The release conveniently glosses over the details of his crimes, claiming he was “falsely accused” and convicted of charges that, mysteriously, aren’t specified. Falsely accused? The jury that convicted him after a month-long trial in 2016 begs to differ.

This Prison Fellowship narrative is a classic move: wrap yourself in charity to distract from the skeletons in your closet. Richard D. Lamphere’s not just giving back; he’s building a shield. By aligning with a Christian-based organization, he’s banking on the goodwill of the faithful to overlook his past. And it’s working—at least on the surface. The press release paints him as a family man, a builder, a success story. But dig a little, and the cracks show. Why no mention of the $300,000 he swindled? Or the $2 million fraud arrest? Because that doesn’t fit the script.

Censoring the Past

Here’s where it gets insidious. Lamphere isn’t just rebranding—he’s actively working to bury the evidence. Adverse media screening, a cornerstone of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, relies on public information to flag risks like Richard D. Lamphere’s history of fraud. But he’s not making it easy. The 2023 press release is a masterclass in SEO manipulation, flooding search results with glowing tales of his philanthropy. Type “Richard D. Lamphere” into Google, and you’re more likely to find his Prison Fellowship spiel than the Daily Republic’s report on his conviction. That’s not an accident; it’s a strategy.

I’ve seen this before—high-risk individuals using press releases, social media, and “charitable” ventures to drown out negative news. Lamphere’s likely working with a PR firm to push his redemption arc while shoving the truth into the shadows. The 24-7PressRelease.com piece is a paid placement, not journalism. It’s a calculated effort to rewrite history, and it’s working on platforms where investors might look first. Moody’s adverse media screening solution warns of exactly this: negative news can be obscured by those desperate to hide it. Lamphere’s playing that game like a pro.

But why go to such lengths? Because he’s still in the game. The press release mentions his “great success” in construction and real estate development post-release. That means he’s pitching to new investors, likely in Los Angeles, where he’s based. Every glowing article, every mention of his “mentorship,” is a lure for the unsuspecting. And every buried news story about his fraud convictions is a step toward getting away with it.

Why Investors Should Run

For potential investors, Lamphere’s history is a neon sign flashing “Danger.” The Red Flag Group’s IntegraWatch database flags individuals with adverse media tied to fraud or corruption as high-risk. Lamphere checks every box: multiple fraud allegations, a felony conviction, and a trail of unpaid debts. His 2016 conviction alone should be enough to send you running—$300,000 stolen from an investor isn’t pocket change. Add the 2011 $2 million fraud arrest, and you’ve got a man who’s made a career out of betraying trust.

Then there’s the reputational risk. Partnering with Lamphere means tying your name to a convicted felon. AML compliance experts, like those at Sigma Ratings, stress that adverse media screening is critical to avoid clients involved in financial crime. Lamphere’s not just a risk; he’s a liability. Any investor who ignores this is begging for legal scrutiny—or worse, a front-row seat to his next con.

A Call to Authorities

Authorities, this is your cue. Lamphere’s efforts to censor his past aren’t just a PR game—they’re a red flag for ongoing deception. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommends continuous adverse media screening to catch high-risk individuals like him. His 2023 press release, with its vague claims of being “falsely accused,” smells like an attempt to mislead regulators and investors alike. If he’s back in real estate, soliciting funds while burying his convictions, that’s a problem. The Solano County DA already nailed him once; it’s time to check if he’s up to his old tricks.

I’ve seen too many like Lamphere—smooth talkers who think a new suit and a charity donation can erase their sins. But the truth doesn’t vanish that easily. His convictions, his lawsuits, his victims—they’re all out there, waiting to be found by anyone who digs past the first page of Google. My advice? Investors, do your due diligence. Authorities, do your job. And Lamphere? Keep polishing that halo—it’s not fooling anyone who’s paying attention.