COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA) has concluded an investigation into former Columbus Township Trustee Benjamin P. Jackson. He was a trustee from July 1, 2013, to November 22, 2023.
Jackson is accused of using his Trustee-issued credit card for personal expenses, including air travel, hotels, school tuition, meals, cars, groceries, home improvement, cannabis, and more. He supposedly racked up over $1.1 million of personal expenses on his Township credit card between 2016 and 2024.
Indiana State Examiner Paul D. Joyce launched an investigation into the allegations on October 24, 2024, after an anonymous source notified the SBOA that Jackson was allegedly using the Township credit card for personal expenses. The investigation concluded this spring, and a report was issued.
The report’s contents were discussed with Jackson and his attorney on May 13, 2025. On that same day, in a separate meeting, the summary was discussed with the current Columbus Township Trustee, the Township Board President Doug Hollenbeck, the Deputy Trustee, and other Township officials.
An Indiana State Field Examiner signed off on the 51-page SBOA report of the investigation last Wednesday, May 21.
You can read the entire Indiana State Board of Accounts report here.
At this time, Local News Digital is not aware of charges being filed.
