Title: Local Exalted Ruler Charged with Theft Amid Missing Gaming Funds Investigation
New Castle, Indiana — Patrick F. Saunders, a 42-year-old former candidate for public office and the top officer at a New Castle lodge, faces potential imprisonment following an investigation into missing funds from gaming machines. He has been charged with Level 6 felony Theft and Level 6 felony Fraud in Henry Circuit Court 3.
Saunders, who previously held positions on the Lewisville Town Council and ran for Henry County Recorder in 2022, served as the “Exalted Ruler” at the Benevolent and Protected Order of Elks lodge located at 309 S. Main Street. The investigation initiated on June 16, 2026, after Elks Trustee Gary Purvis reported repeated cash shortages in the lodge’s Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs).
Evidence gathered by the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) revealed that Saunders had manipulated access to a locked office cabinet containing EGM keys, allowing him to pull cash from the machines without proper logging. A forensic audit indicated that $16,735 was unaccounted for between May 2 and June 26, 2026.
During a formal interview with state agents on July 1, Saunders claimed his key access was solely for clearing paper jams but denied any wrongdoing after being confronted with video evidence.
After the investigation, Saunders reported zero legal earnings since early 2024. Local attorney David Sadler attempted to deliver $11,000 in cash as restitution on Saunders’ behalf, but the Elks lodge refused and opted for criminal prosecution instead.
Court Timeline:
- Formal Charges Filed: August 28, 2026
- Arrest Warrant Issued: August 31, 2026
- Bail Set: $10,000
- Pretrial Conference: November 4, 2026, at 9:00 AM
- Jury Trial: December 16, 2026, at 9:00 AM
If convicted, Saunders could face a maximum sentence of 2.5 years for each charge. His family has a long history in Henry County public office, which adds to the community’s attention on this case. Notably, Saunders’ brother, Andrew, faced serious legal consequences in connection with a fatal accident in 2005, highlighting the family’s complicated history with the law.
As the case unfolds, it brings to light not only the alleged misconduct of Saunders but also the broader implications within the community concerning trust and leadership.
