(Columbus, IN) – A Columbus man was arrested Tuesday on multiple felony charges following an Indiana State Police investigation into the theft of over $1 million while he was serving in Bartholomew County as the Columbus Township Trustee.
In October 2024, Detective Craig Starr with the ISP Special Investigations Section, and the Indiana State Board of Accounts began an investigation after a tip indicated that 56-year-old Benjamin P. Jackson made personal purchases using a township credit card.
ISP says an audit into purchases allegedly made by Jackson on township credit cards uncovered multiple personal purchases dating back to 2016.
Between 2016 and 2024, Jackson allegedly made over $1.1 Million in personal purchases with trustee office credit cards.
Indiana State Police Investigators submitted the case to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office in May of 2025.
Charges were officially filed today, which resulted in a warrant being issued for the arrest of Benjamin Jackson.
Jackson was arrested on felony charges of Corrupt Business Influence, Forgery, Official Misconduct, and Theft.
He was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail and will soon make an initial appearance in the Bartholomew Circuit Court.
Jackson was appointed Columbus Township Trustee in July 2013, and resigned from the position in November 2024.
