Ben Shoulders, a former Vanderburgh County Commissioner, has found himself in hot water due to some questionable spending of his campaign funds. The accusations against him are quite peculiar, as they involve the purchase of high-value baseball cards using money that should have been designated for political activities. The details that emerged from the investigation shed light on a rather unusual misuse of funds that have now led to serious legal troubles for Shoulders.
An affidavit filed in Vanderburgh Circuit Court states that Shoulders allegedly splurged over $41,000 on eBay, utilizing a debit card connected to his “Shoulders for Commissioner” account. These transactions were then allegedly mislabeled on his campaign finance reports to conceal their true nature. While many of the reported expenses seemed legitimate, it was the entries related to baseball and Pokémon cards that caught the attention of investigators.
Among the notable purchases listed as something else on campaign documents were a $235 Johnny Bench rookie card and a $570 Satchel Paige card, disguised as “signs” and “banner.” Suspicion was further aroused by additional transactions amounting to nearly $500 for Pokémon cards, marked as “signs” purchased at a local store. These discrepancies prompted a deeper dive into the financial activities of Shoulders’ campaign account.
The investigation into Shoulders was set in motion when he himself contacted the Evansville Police Department in October 2023, alleging fraudulent activities on his campaign account. He claimed to have lost his debit card around April and professed ignorance regarding the disputed charges made between May and August. However, evidence surfaced that contradicted his claims, revealing that he was the sole authorized user of the account and that the purchases continued even after he reported the card as lost.
Further scrutiny of email records exposed a series of eBay orders for rare baseball cards, such as 1965 and 1967 Mickey Mantle cards and a 1966 Willie Mays card, all shipped directly to Shoulders’ residence. Authorities assert that these transactions were financed using his campaign account, adding a bizarre twist to the misuse of funds saga.
As the investigation unfolded, it was revealed that Shoulders had attempted to seek reimbursement of over $26,000 from Old National Bank’s fraud department for the allegedly fraudulent charges. However, his request was turned down. Soon after this failed endeavor, Shoulders tendered his resignation as commissioner, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the county.
Subsequently, Shoulders was arrested and slapped with charges that encompassed attempted fraud and filing a false report. After posting a $500 bond, he awaited his initial court appearance. The affidavit further exposed irregularities concerning checks labeled as charitable contributions, which were instead deposited into a business account under Shoulders’ control.
This peculiar case involving the misuse of campaign funds for the acquisition of valuable baseball cards has not only tarnished Shoulders’ reputation but also raised eyebrows within the community. The legal proceedings that follow are expected to shed more light on the extent of the alleged improper financial conduct and its repercussions on Shoulders’ personal and political future.
