Ben Shoulders, a former Vanderburgh County Commissioner, recently made headlines for all the wrong reasons when he found himself at the center of a scandal involving the alleged misuse of campaign funds. An investigation into Shoulders’ financial activities unveiled a troubling pattern of behavior, particularly in relation to his affinity for high-value baseball cards.
The saga began when a probable cause affidavit was filed in Vanderburgh Circuit Court, detailing how Shoulders purportedly splurged over $41,000 on eBay using a debit card associated with his “Shoulders for Commissioner” account. What made these transactions eyebrow-raising was the manner in which they were recorded on his campaign finance reports – with notable items like a $235 Johnny Bench rookie card and a $570 Satchel Paige card cleverly disguised as campaign paraphernalia under the labels of “signs” and “banner.”
While some of the expenses appeared legitimate, authorities couldn’t overlook the red flags raised by these peculiar baseball card purchases, along with additional transactions amounting to nearly $500 in Pokémon cards, dubiously categorized as “signs” from a local store. Investigators couldn’t help but wonder about the true nature of these acquisitions and their relevance to Shoulders’ political endeavors.
The situation took an unexpected turn when Shoulders himself reached out to the Evansville Police Department in October 2023, alleging fraudulent activities on his campaign account. He claimed that his debit card had gone missing around April and professed ignorance regarding the individual responsible for the contested charges made between May and August. However, a deeper probe unraveled contradicting evidence, such as records indicating Shoulders as the sole authorized user of the account and ongoing purchases post his supposed card loss.
Further scrutiny uncovered email correspondence confirming multiple eBay transactions for coveted baseball cards, including prized possessions like 1965 and 1967 Mickey Mantle cards and a 1966 Willie Mays card, all directed to Shoulders’ residence. It became apparent that Shoulders had been utilizing his campaign account to fuel his collector’s passion for these valuable memorabilia pieces.
Adding fuel to the fire was an attempt by Shoulders to obtain reimbursement exceeding $26,000 from Old National Bank’s fraud department for the contested charges, a request that was promptly rejected. Oddly enough, a mere month following this unsuccessful endeavor, Shoulders tendered his resignation as commissioner, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the county as a public figure.
Subsequently, Shoulders found himself on the wrong side of the law, arrested and charged with various offenses, including attempted fraud and filing a false report. Despite posting a $500 bond, he awaited his forthcoming court appearance, surrounded by the legal ramifications of his actions. The situation was further compounded by revelations of discrepant checks designated as charitable contributions, funneled instead into a business account under Shoulders’ control, leaving a trail of financial impropriety in his wake.
The controversy surrounding Ben Shoulders serves as a cautionary tale, underscoring the perils of misusing public funding for personal gain and the repercussions of betraying the trust vested in elected officials. The intricate web of deceit woven by Shoulders has not only tarnished his reputation but also cast a shadow over the realm of political accountability and fiscal responsibility. As the legal proceedings unfold, the public watches with bated breath, witnessing the unraveling of a narrative that blends politics, finance, and the allure of collector’s items in a gripping spectacle of power and downfall.
