Ben Shoulders, previously a Vanderburgh County Commissioner, is currently entangled in a web of accusations involving the misuse of campaign funds, with a bizarre twist involving rare baseball and Pokémon cards. The scandal erupted when a probable cause affidavit, filed in Vanderburgh Circuit Court, disclosed that Shoulders allegedly spent a staggering $41,000 on eBay. The funds in question were linked to his “Shoulders for Commissioner” account but were purportedly used for the acquisition of high-value baseball cards.
The eyebrow-raising transactions included a $235 Johnny Bench rookie card and a $570 Satchel Paige card, deceptively listed as campaign materials like “signs” and “banner” on official financial reports. While the majority of expenditures seemed legitimate, the inclusion of baseball card purchases and an additional $500 splurge on Pokémon cards, disguised as “signs” from a local store, set off alarms for investigators scrutinizing the reports.
The situation took a bizarre turn when Shoulders himself contacted the Evansville Police Department in October 2023, alleging fraudulent activities on his campaign account. His claim suggested that his debit card had gone missing around April, and he professed ignorance regarding the disputed charges between May and August. However, the investigative spotlight quickly shifted back to Shoulders as evidence emerged, pointing to him as the sole authorized user of the account and indicating that purchases had persisted even after he reported the card as lost.
Further examination delved into email correspondence, disclosing multiple confirmations of rare baseball card orders from eBay, with items such as 1965 and 1967 Mickey Mantle cards and a 1966 Willie Mays card all traced back to Shoulders’ residence. Shockingly, these transactions were executed using Shoulders’ campaign account, leading to heightened suspicion.
An additional plot twist emerged as financial records unveiled Shoulders’ failed attempt to claim reimbursement exceeding $26,000 from Old National Bank’s fraud department for the allegedly fraudulent charges. His resignation as commissioner came only a month after this unsuccessful bid for reimbursement, with Shoulders expressing gratitude for his time in public service. However, looming legal troubles quickly overshadowed his farewell message.
With charges including attempted fraud and filing a false report lodged against him, Shoulders found himself in legal jeopardy. Despite being released on a $500 bond, he awaited his initial court appearance. The investigation into Shoulders’ financial dealings also unearthed irregularities concerning checks earmarked as charitable donations. These funds were rerouted to a business account under Shoulders’ control, adding another layer of complexity to the scandal gripping the former commissioner.
The saga surrounding Ben Shoulders serves as a cautionary tale of the potential consequences of misusing public funds and the unexpected avenues through which such transgressions can be uncovered. The allure of rare baseball cards and misplaced Pokémon nostalgia led to a downfall that tarnished Shoulders’ political legacy and thrust him into the unforgiving spotlight of legal scrutiny.