Ben Shoulders, the former Vanderburgh County Commissioner, found himself in hot water after allegations surfaced of misusing campaign funds to acquire a collection of high-value baseball cards. This unexpected saga unfolded through a series of discrepancies and questionable transactions that caught the attention of authorities.
The crux of the issue lay in over $41,000 reportedly spent on eBay using a debit card associated with the “Shoulders for Commissioner” account. Among the notable purchases were a $235 Johnny Bench rookie card and a $570 Satchel Paige card, perplexingly labeled as “signs” and “banner” on Shoulders’ campaign financial declarations. While other expenses seemed legitimate, such as routine campaign operations, the inclusion of baseball cards and an additional $500 splurge on Pokémon cards at a local store raised eyebrows and triggered suspicion.
The controversy came to light when Shoulders himself reached out to the Evansville Police Department in October 2023, alleging fraudulent activities on his campaign finance account. He claimed to have lost his debit card approximately in April and professed ignorance regarding the unauthorized charges made between May and August. However, subsequent investigations unearthed conflicting evidence, indicating Shoulders as the sole authorized user of the account and revealing continued transactions post his reported loss of the card.
Further scrutiny exposed incriminating email correspondence affirming multiple eBay purchases of rare baseball cards, including prized items like 1965 and 1967 Mickey Mantle cards, along with a 1966 Willie Mays card, all dispatched to Shoulders’ residence. Shockingly, these transactions were linked to his campaign account, painting a damning picture of financial impropriety.
Adding fuel to the fire, financial records revealed an intriguing twist where Shoulders endeavored to secure over $26,000 in reimbursement from Old National Bank’s fraud department for the alleged unauthorized charges. To his dismay, the bank rejected his claim. Shortly following this setback, Shoulders tendered his resignation as commissioner, bidding adieu with a statement expressing gratitude for his stint as a county official.
Subsequently, Shoulders faced arrest and a string of charges, including attempted fraud and falsifying a report. Subsequently released on a $500 bond, he awaited his day in court for the preliminary hearing. The probe also unraveled discrepancies relating to checks purportedly intended for charitable contributions but redirected to a business account controlled by Shoulders, casting a shadow of suspicion over his financial dealings.
In the intricate web of political finance and personal indulgence, Ben Shoulders found himself ensnared in a scandal that sent ripples through the community and raised pertinent questions about accountability and transparency in the realm of public service. As the legal proceedings unfolded, the spotlight remained firmly trained on the former commissioner, awaiting the resolution of these grave accusations.
