COLUMBUS, Ind. – Bartholomew County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Holden-Kay today, Tuesday, July 22, formally charged Benjamin Jackson, former Columbus Township Trustee, with nine counts of Theft and nine counts of Official Misconduct.
Jackson resigned from his position after the Indiana State Police began a criminal investigation in November 2024 into irregularities with township finances involving credit card purchases.
The Indiana State Board of Accounts published a special investigation report in May, documenting $1,123,334.27 in personal expenses paid for with credit cards for Columbus Township. Read that May 27 Local News Digital story here.
The case was filed in Bartholomew County Circuit Court. However, the Honorable Judge Kelly Benjamin has recused herself, and the case is awaiting assignment of a Special Judge.
The filing of a criminal charge is simply an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit the prosecutor from further commenting on this matter.