Ben Shoulders, a name once associated with public service in Vanderburgh County, now finds himself in a predicament as serious allegations have surfaced against him. The former County Commissioner stands accused of misusing campaign funds to fulfill a different kind of collecting passion – expensive baseball cards.
In a twist of events straight out of a thrilling crime drama, Shoulders allegedly splurged over $41,000 on eBay using a debit card linked to his “Shoulders for Commissioner” account. What makes this tale even more intriguing is how he tried to conceal these purchases in his campaign finance reports. While most expenses were accounted for properly, the entries for high-value baseball cards and even Pokémon cards, disguised as “signs” and “banners,” raised suspicion among investigators.
The unraveling of this financial misstep began when Shoulders reached out to the Evansville Police Department, claiming fraudulent activities on his campaign account in October 2023. He painted a picture of innocence by stating he had lost his debit card earlier in April. Nevertheless, evidence stacked up against him, revealing that he was the sole authorized user of the account and that the purchases continued even after he reported the card as lost.
Email records played a crucial role in exposing Shoulders’ indulgence in acquiring rare baseball cards, such as those featuring legends like Johnny Bench, Satchel Paige, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays. These cards found their way to Shoulders’ residence courtesy of transactions paid for with campaign funds.
In a desperate bid to cover his tracks, Shoulders attempted to seek reimbursement of over $26,000 from Old National Bank, citing fraudulent charges. Unfortunately for him, this ploy was unsuccessful, leading to further scrutiny of his financial activities. Shortly after this failed attempt, Shoulders made the decision to step down from his role as commissioner, bidding farewell to his tenure with gratitude.
The repercussions of Shoulders’ actions did not stop at mere accusations. He was arrested and slapped with charges ranging from attempted fraud to filing a false report. Despite being released on a $500 bond, Shoulders faced the impending legal procedures, awaiting his initial court appearance. The saga continued as investigations exposed discrepancies related to checks designated as charitable donations, which mysteriously ended up in a business account under Shoulders’ control.
As the dust settled on Shoulders’ alleged misuse of campaign funds for a personal hobby, the community and legal system awaited further developments in this unusual case. The tale of the once-respected public figure now intertwined with baseball cards and financial misconduct served as a stark reminder of how power and trust can be easily swayed by temptations. Only time would tell the ultimate fate of Ex-Commissioner Shoulders and the repercussions of his costly collecting obsession.
