Editor’s note: This story was updated at 3:53 p.m. Feb. 4 to include additional information posted by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
Ward 1 Councilmember Austin Ball told OU Daily Monday he plans to turn himself in after a warrant was issued for his arrest on criminal misdemeanor charges of embezzlement and false certificate by a public officer.
“I’m gonna handle it in court,” Austin Ball told OU Daily on a phone call Monday afternoon. “I’ll be turning myself in.”
On Monday, Austin Ball said he is working with his bondsman to determine if it would be best to turn himself in Monday evening or Tuesday.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations released a statement on Tuesday detailing the events of what led to Ball's arrest warrant, as well as confirming that he turned himself in to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office and booked into the Cleveland County Jail.
According to the bureau, Ball’s wife, Kayla Ball was also charged with one count of embezzlement in relation to this investigation.
According to court documents, Austin Ball’s bond is $1,000.
As rumors swirled on social media shortly before the situation came to light, Austin Ball repeatedly defended himself by alleging the timing of the charges has to do with the Feb. 11 election in which he is running against David Gandesbery for the Ward 1 seat.
“Luckily, I just checked because I was on my way to the city council forum, so I guess they were going to try to probably make a public statement there,” Austin Ball told OU Daily. “Just like the (district attorney) is doing by holding this case for the last year, coming at me 10 days before an election. Seems really odd to me.”
According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations, the investigation into Ball began on Nov. 23, 2023. After conducting interviews and reviewing documents, the bureau determined that Ball used campaign expenditures for personal benefit from June 2023 to November 2023. The bureau also wrote that Ball filed two false campaign documents to the Norman City Clerk.
On Thursday, an initial charge was filed with the Cleveland County courthouse outlining then-forthcoming charges against Austin Ball. The initial filing included a sworn affidavit from Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Adam York.
York launched an investigation into allegations against Austin Ball following a request by the Norman Police Department.
The affidavit accuses Austin Ball and his wife Kayla Ball of inappropriately spending campaign funds. The affidavit also accuses Austin Ball of filing falsified campaign finance reports during his 2023 campaign for city council.
“Based on this investigation, York believed Austin (Ball) embezzled campaign funds for personal use and filed two false documents with the Norman City Clerk, claiming that a dental visit was a campaign expense and omitting Kayla (Ball)’s unauthorized expense,” the affidavit reads.
On Austin Ball’s 2023 quarter two campaign finance report, a $255 expenditure at Dental Depot is listed as “event preparation.” York found that the extraction was not a campaign-related expenditure.
The payment was made to pull Austin Ball’s infected tooth, which was the focus of a comment made by fellow council member Matt Peacock during an altercation with Austin Ball at a city council meeting in 2023.
During the 2023 meeting, Austin Ball and Peacock got into an altercation according to court documents. During the altercation, Austin Ball allegedly told Peacock, “Let’s go outside and I’ll whoop you right now.” Peacock reportedly then told Austin Ball “Man, your breath stinks.” Ball then left the meeting.
According to an interview conducted by York, Austin Ball cited the incident as a catalyst for getting the tooth extracted.
According to the affidavit, Kayla Ball misused campaign funds and a card associated with the campaign’s bank account. Campaign bank records listed in the affidavit show the account was used to pay T-Mobile bills, purchase items at Walmart and Dollar General and make a purchase at a Tulsa-area McDonald’s.
“We are 'Protecting Oklahoma one Partnership at a time,'” the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations wrote.
This story was edited by Ana Barboza, Ismael Lele and Anusha Fathepure. Mary Ann Livingood and Grace Rhodes copy edited this story.
