Ex-Commissioner Ben Shoulders Accused of Misusing Campaign Funds

Ben Shoulders, a once-respected figure as a former Vanderburgh County Commissioner, is now at the center of a scandal involving the alleged misuse of campaign funds. Accusations claim he splurged over $41,000 on eBay, acquiring valuable baseball cards under questionable circumstances. The eye-catching $235 Johnny Bench rookie card and a $570 Satchel Paige card were cleverly disguised as campaign essentials like “signs” and “banners” in official financial records, leading investigators to uncover the shady dealings.

The alarm was first raised when Shoulders took the unexpected step of reporting suspected fraudulent activities on his campaign account to the Evansville Police Department in October 2023. He pointed fingers at unknown perpetrators, alleging unauthorized charges between May and August, following the lost card claim in April. However, a closer look at the evidence painted a different picture. It emerged that Shoulders was the sole authorized user of the account and that purchases continued unabated post the reported card loss, casting doubt on his claims.

Email trails provided damning evidence of Shoulders’ penchant for high-end collectibles, with multiple eBay receipts for sought-after baseball cards, including coveted ones featuring legends like Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, all conveniently shipped directly to his residence. Authorities have reason to believe that he financed these acquisitions through his campaign funds, blurring the lines between personal indulgence and political responsibilities.

Adding another layer of deceit to the mix, financial records unveiled a failed attempt by Shoulders to recoup over $26,000 from the fraud department of Old National Bank, under the guise of reimbursing purportedly fraudulent charges. This ploy backfired when his claim was denied, prompting suspicion about his true motives. Shortly after this debacle, Shoulders made a surprising exit from his position as commissioner, bidding adieu with a bittersweet statement on his tenure.

The fallout did not end there, as Shoulders found himself facing a slew of charges, ranging from attempted fraud to filing a false report. Despite being released on a $500 bond, his legal troubles had just begun, with an impending court appearance looming over him. The tangled web of deceit also extended to discrepancies surrounding checks marked for charity, instead diverted to a business account closely linked to Shoulders, creating further unease about his integrity.

The case of Ben Shoulders serves as a cautionary tale about the dark side of power and the consequences of succumbing to temptation. What started as a seemingly harmless indulgence in collectibles spiraled into a full-blown scandal, tarnishing a once-respected public figure’s legacy. Only time will tell how this tale of misplaced trust and betrayal unfolds in the corridors of justice.

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