COLUMBUS, IN — A former Columbus Township Trustee has been arrested following a long-term investigation that uncovered over $1.1 million in alleged theft from township funds.
Benjamin P. Jackson, 56, of Columbus, Indiana, was taken into custody after authorities discovered he had been making unauthorized personal purchases with township credit cards over an eight-year period from 2016 to 2024.
The Indiana State Police Special Investigations Section, along with the Indiana State Board of Accounts, launched their inquiry in October 2024 after receiving a tip. A forensic audit revealed numerous personal transactions made by Jackson using government-issued credit cards.
According to investigators, Jackson used his position to fund personal expenditures, totaling more than $1.1 million in misused public money. The Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges in July 2025, leading to a warrant for his arrest.
Jackson, who was appointed Columbus Township Trustee in July 2013, resigned in November 2024. He now faces multiple felony charges, including Corrupt Business Influence, Forgery, Official Misconduct, and Theft. He was booked into the Bartholomew County Jail and is expected to appear in Circuit Court for his initial hearing.
The case highlights serious concerns about public trust and accountability in local government. The Indiana State Police were assisted in the investigation by the State Board of Accounts.
