Ben Shoulders, a former Vanderburgh County Commissioner, has found himself embroiled in a scandal involving the alleged misuse of campaign funds for a rather unusual shopping spree – high-value baseball cards. The ex-commissioner is now facing some serious allegations after reportedly splurging over $41,000 on eBay using a debit card linked to his “Shoulders for Commissioner” account, with these purchases conveniently mislabeled on his campaign finance reports.
Among the notable acquisitions were a rookie card of Johnny Bench valued at $235 and a Satchel Paige card worth $570. Interestingly, these pricey baseball cards were categorized as “signs” and “banner” on official campaign documents, attempting to disguise their true nature. While most of the reported expenses seemed legitimate, it was the inclusion of these baseball card entries, along with additional transactions totaling almost $500 for Pokémon cards labeled as “signs” from a local store, that caught the attention of investigators and raised suspicions.
The investigation was set in motion when Shoulders himself reached out to the Evansville Police Department in October 2023, reporting suspicious activity on his campaign account. Claiming to have lost his debit card around April, he professed ignorance regarding the disputed charges incurred between May and August. However, subsequent scrutiny uncovered conflicting evidence, such as records indicating Shoulders as the sole authorized user of the account and revealing that purchases continued post his alleged card loss.
Further examination of email records unveiled multiple eBay orders confirming the purchase of rare baseball cards, including ones featuring legends like Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, all conveniently shipped to Shoulders’ residence. It was determined that he had utilized his campaign account to fund these transactions, leading to deeper legal troubles for the former commissioner.
Additional revelations emerged, showing that Shoulders had tried to claim reimbursement of over $26,000 from Old National Bank’s fraud department for the purportedly fraudulent charges, a bid that was subsequently denied. Following this failed attempt, Shoulders tendered his resignation as commissioner, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the county as a public servant.
Subsequently, Shoulders was apprehended and slapped with charges ranging from attempted fraud to filing a false report. After being released on a $500 bond, he awaited his initial court appearance to address these allegations. The troubling saga didn’t end there, as the affidavit also brought to light inconsistencies related to checks marked as charitable donations, which were reportedly diverted into a business account controlled by Shoulders.
The intricate web of misconduct and financial mismanagement painted a grim picture of Shoulders’ actions, showcasing a blatant misuse of public trust and a cavalier attitude towards campaign finance regulations. As the legal proceedings unfold, the former commissioner finds himself entangled in a web of allegations that may have far-reaching repercussions on his reputation and future prospects.
