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Charges Filed Against Former Columbus Township Trustee Accused of Spending $1.1 Million on Township Credit Card for Personal Expenses
COLUMBUS TOWNSHIP, INDIANA, JUL 22 – Benjamin P. Jackson is charged with 18 counts after allegedly misusing over $1.1 million in township funds for personal expenses from 2016 to 2024, audit shows.
- Tuesday, Benjamin P. Jackson, former Columbus Township Trustee, was arrested in Columbus Township, Indiana, on charges including theft and official misconduct, allegedly stealing over $1 million in taxpayer funds.
- In October 2024, an anonymous tip prompted the State Board of Accounts audit, reviewed credit card statements from December 14, 2016, to November 22, 2024, revealing a lack of internal controls allowing unchecked spending.
- Personal purchases totaled $1,123,334.27, according to court documents filed by prosecutors, with about 98% issued to Jackson and 88% for personal use, as documented in the case file.
- He is awaiting an initial appearance in Bartholomew Circuit Court, with the case to be handled by a special judge from Decatur County, as online records show.
- On May 14, 2025, Columbus Township updated internal controls requiring trustee, chief deputy, and fire chief to document monthly charges with dates, reasons, and receipts, reviewed by clerk and board members during meetings.
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12 Articles
wibc.com
106.7 WTLCFormer Bartholomew County Trustee Arrested for $1 Million Theft
Benjamin P. Jackson (Bartholomew County Jail) COLUMBUS, Ind. — A former Columbus Township Trustee faces multiple felony charges over stealing money. Benjamin P. Jackson, 56, was arrested this week after an investigation from Indiana State Police revealed he stole over $1 million in public funds. The investigation first began in October 2024 when ISP said they received a tip regarding a pattern of personal purchases made by Jackson using township…
Former Trustee Arrested for Theft in Excess of a Million Dollars – WRBI Radio
Benjamin Jackson. (Provided Photo) (Columbus, IN) – A Columbus man was arrested Tuesday on multiple felony charges following an Indiana State Police investigation into the theft of over $1 million while he was serving in Bartholomew County as the Columbus Township Trustee. In October 2024, Detective Craig Starr with the ISP Special Investigations Section, and the Indiana State Board of Accounts began an investigation after a tip indicated that 5…
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