Former Vanderburgh County Commissioner charged with fraud

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Evansville Police arrested former Vanderburgh County Commissioner Ben Shoulders on charges of attempted fraud, filing a fraudulent election report and other crimes.

According to EPD, on October 20, 2023 Ben Shoulders reported to the Evansville Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit that he discovered fraudulent eBay purchases on his bank statement. Authorities say the account where the fraud allegedly occurred was Schouder’s campaign account.

After an investigation, authorities say they found numerous discrepancies, including money documented as donated to local nonprofits when no donations occurred. Police say sports memorabilia was purchased on eBay using the account and shipped to Schouder’s address. It was also reportedly found that checks had been moved from the campaign account to a separate account opened by Shoulders.

Authorities say approximately $55,000 in funds from the “Shouders For Commissioner” account was misused by Shoulders. He was charged with attempted fraud on a financial institution and two counts of filing a fraudulent election report.

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