Former Austin police officer admits to tax evasion www.privateofficer.com

 

Austin TX March 31 2012 A former Austin police officer has admitted to tax evasion related to his failure to report income from private security jobs performed while he was on the force, according to court documents and a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman.

Randall Keith Ballard, 36, of Elgin pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to one count of making and subscribing a false tax return, which is punishable by up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His sentencing date has not been set.

The American-Statesman reported in January that federal authorities were looking into the off-duty employment of several officers who were paid cash by a wealthy Mexican man to watch over his daughter while she attends college.

Ballard left the Austin Police Department soon after the inquiry started.

The document charging Ballard, called an information, states that Ballard filed a 1040 individual income tax return for 2010 that he knew contained false information. Ballard claimed in the return that he earned $40,562 when he actually made $155,289, the information said.

The guilty plea came as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. Details of that agreement were not in court documents.

Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo said no current officers were disciplined for violating departmental policies concerning off-duty employment. “There were no policy violations among our current employees that were found requiring formal discipline,” he said.

Ballard, who was released on a personal recognizance bond, could not be reached for comment.

According to online federal court records, Austin lawyer Kyle Collins represents Ballard.

Reached Thursday, Collins would not say whether he represents Ballard. Collins said he knows several people by Ballard’s name and has many clients.