COLUMBUS – A Columbus man and former Bartholomew County Township Trustee was arrested Tuesday, July 22, on multiple felony charges following a lengthy investigation by the Indiana State Police into the alleged theft of over $1 million in public funds.
Benjamin P. Jackson, 56, who served as the Columbus Township trustee, was taken into custody after charges were officially filed. The investigation began in October 2024, when Indiana State Police Detective Craig Starr of the Special Investigations Section, along with the Indiana State Board of Accounts, received a tip alleging that Jackson had made personal purchases using a township credit card.
A subsequent audit of Jackson’s purchases on township credit cards reportedly uncovered a pattern of personal expenditures dating back to 2016. Between 2016 and 2024, Jackson is accused of making over $1.1 million in personal purchases with trustee office credit cards.
Indiana State Police investigators submitted their findings to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office in May 2025, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Jackson. He now faces felony charges of corrupt business influence, forgery, official misconduct, and theft.
Jackson has been incarcerated in the Bartholomew County Jail and is expected to make an initial appearance in Bartholomew County Circuit Court soon.
Jackson was appointed Columbus Township Trustee in July 2013 and resigned from the position in November 2024.
The Indiana State Board of Accounts assisted the Indiana State Police investigation.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
