According to court evidence, Ballard falsely presented lucrative phony real estate investments to potential clients and then created false documentation so the transactions would appear legitimate to the investors including fake warranty deeds, and sales contracts. According to the U.S. Attorney's office, in order to keep the scheme regenerating, Ballard solicited new investors and used their investments to repay other investors, and only reimbursed money if the investors became suspicious.
Upon sentencing by U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash Jr., Ballard will remain in prison for five years and three months. His sentence will be followed by a supervised release for the following three years. He is also required to repay $1.13 million to his fraud victims. Ballard's license to practice law was suspended in 2005 and he was disbarred in 2006.
