(Decatur County, IN) – A former Washington Township Trustee is facing several felony charges in Decatur County stemming from his time in office.
Christian Rust is charged in Decatur Superior Court with one count of Theft and three counts of Official Misconduct (all Level 6 felonies).
The Indiana State Board of Accounts (ISBA) released a special investigation report in November 2024 that says Rust and former township clerk Charity Wilder were noncompliant with state law and guidelines during their time in office between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2022, and are responsible for expenditures totaling $90,566.92.
Wilder is currently not facing charges in connection with this case.
Current Washington Township Trustee Beverly Rivera and her office reported fraud to the ISBA in January 2023, and the state agency’s Special Investigative Unit started looking into the allegations shortly thereafter.
As a result of the investigation, Rust was charged with $89,369.67 for unsupported medical expense reimbursements, payroll tax interest and penalties, unsupported cell phone reimbursements and special investigative costs.
He and Wilder were jointly flagged for $373.74 on a township assistance claim paid twice.
The ISBA report was forwarded to the Indiana Attorney General’s Office and Indiana State Police.
In order to avoid the appearance of impropriety during the investigation, Decatur County Prosecutor Nate Harter requested the appointment of a third-party, outside-the-jurisdiction special prosecutor to review the report and consider possible criminal charges.
Richard David Culver of Henry County is serving as Special Prosecutor in the case.
The 21-page Probable Cause Affidavit was filed Tuesday in Decatur Superior Court.
You can read the entire affidavit by clicking here.
