Audit Reveals Ex-Trustee Benjamin P. Jackson Allegedly Misused Township Credit Card for $1.1M in Personal Expenses

Photo by: WRTV - Former Columbus Township Trustee Ben Jackson

Columbus, IN – A recent investigation by the Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA) has uncovered staggering allegations against former Columbus Township Trustee Benjamin P. Jackson, who is accused of charging over $1.1 million in personal expenses to a township-issued credit card over an eight-year period. Jackson, who served as trustee from July 1, 2013, until his resignation on November 22, 2023, allegedly used the card for a range of personal expenditures, including international travel, retail purchases, and even cannabis-related purchases, in violation of township policy.

A Trusted Official Under Scrutiny

Jackson, who was appointed in 2013 to replace outgoing trustee Fred Barkes and later elected in 2014 with 71.36% of the vote, was a prominent figure in Columbus Township. During his tenure, he was lauded for initiatives such as establishing the Brighter Days emergency shelter in partnership with Love Chapel and creating an engagement center with Centerstone to support homeless residents. His annual salary as trustee was approximately $62,000, according to the most recent available figures.

However, the SBOA’s special investigation, launched on October 24, 2024, following an anonymous tip, revealed a pattern of financial misconduct. The audit, finalized in spring 2025, alleges that between 2016 and 2024, Jackson used the township credit card for personal expenses totaling $1.12 million. These charges reportedly included:

• International and Domestic Travel: Dozens of personal trips across 10 countries, covering airfare and hotel stays.

• Retail and Personal Purchases: Expenses for home improvement projects, groceries, meals, and clothing.

• Education and Healthcare: Payments for his children’s college tuition and personal healthcare costs.

• Cannabis Purchases: Transactions with an online cannabis retailer, raising questions about the nature of these expenditures.

The findings were discussed with Jackson and his attorney on May 13, 2025, and the SBOA report has been forwarded to the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana for further review.

Resignation Amid Investigation

Jackson’s abrupt resignation came just days before a scheduled meeting with SBOA investigators on November 25, 2024. In a brief email to Bartholomew County Republican Chairwoman Luann Welmer, he announced his immediate resignation, offering no explanation. The timing, coupled with the ongoing financial investigation, raised concerns among township staff and advisory board members, many of whom claimed they were unaware of the alleged misuse. Advisory board member Lloyd Miller noted, “Most of us were pretty much in the dark. You know Ben as a stand-up guy – and then this comes out.”

The investigation began after an anonymous source alerted the SBOA to irregularities involving the township credit card. Investigators met with township staff to inquire about their knowledge of the financial discrepancies, with Miller stating that the allegations centered on “misuse of a credit card – and that’s pretty much it.”

Township Response and Next Steps

Following Jackson’s resignation, Chief Deputy Trustee Roxanne Phillips Stallworth, a respected figure who received the Indiana Township Association’s 2014 Township Employee of the Year award, assumed oversight of the office. The township is now working to address the fallout and ensure financial transparency moving forward. A new trustee to complete Jackson’s term, which runs through 2026, was scheduled to be selected by 37 Republican committee members on December 19, 2024, at Bartholomew County Republican Headquarters.

The township’s advisory board has emphasized ongoing efforts to clarify the extent of the financial irregularities. Meanwhile, the SBOA’s previous audit of Columbus Township, covering January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2022, found no reportable instances of noncompliance, suggesting that the alleged misconduct may have gone undetected for years.

Broader Implications

The allegations against Jackson are not an isolated case. A similar investigation in Blendon Township, Ohio, found that former administrator Bryan Rhoads owed $103,606 for improper credit card purchases and overpayments, highlighting a recurring issue of financial oversight in township governance. In response, Blendon Township implemented stricter safeguards, such as limiting credit card access and requiring trustee approval for balances. Columbus Township may need to adopt similar measures to prevent future misuse.

As the legal process unfolds, the case has shaken the Columbus Township community, which relies on its trustee to provide critical services like poor relief, fire department funding, and cemetery maintenance. The investigation’s outcome could have significant implications for Jackson and the township’s reputation.