CM Bell one of the 5 yes votes for the 600M TIF has been charged with embezzlment 2.5 weeks before he is on the ballot to retain his seat.

https://www.oudaily.com/news/norman-city-council-ward-1-austin-ball-fund-embezzlement-false-campaign-reports/article_04dee43a-e00e-11ef-addf-436f844ec2f1.html

CM Bell one of the 5 yes votes for the 600M TIF has been charged with embezzlment 2.5 weeks before he is on the ballot to retain his seat.

https://www.oudaily.com/news/norman-city-council-ward-1-austin-ball-fund-embezzlement-false-campaign-reports/article_04dee43a-e00e-11ef-addf-436f844ec2f1.html

this is a lol story ...

CM Bell one of the 5 yes votes for the 600M TIF has been charged with embezzlment 2.5 weeks before he is on the ballot to retain his seat.

https://www.oudaily.com/news/norman-city-council-ward-1-austin-ball-fund-embezzlement-false-campaign-reports/article_04dee43a-e00e-11ef-addf-436f844ec2f1.html

It's all small dollar stuff but it does suggest a certain level of carelessness with campaign funds access.

It's all small dollar stuff but it does suggest a certain level of carelessness with campaign funds access.

While it is "small dollar stuff" he and his wife are facing charges 9 days before election day.
Recently it was also discovered criminal charges in Colorado in 2016 that included child abuse. Also caught a charge in Texas on cannabis possession.
He even has Oklahoma DOC# 470538. Certainly none of this will help getting reelected.

this is a lol story ...

Whats funny about this story? Is there politics involved in the timing of the charge? Perhaps. I dont follow all the political ins and outs of Norman so not sure.

But its clear there is some misspent funds that more than raise an eyebrow. Campaign funds used to pull a tooth at Dental Depot? Wife making loan repayments using campaign funds, on top of lots of walmart and dollar general purchases? Certainly not something good and honest politicians should be doing. They get to fudge things enough with campaign funds and using them for meals and gas but this looks to be outright fraud. Or maybe not if he has a good case. Not something I would laugh about though.

Whats funny about this story? Is there politics involved in the timing of the charge? Perhaps. I dont follow all the political ins and outs of Norman so not sure.

But its clear there is some misspent funds that more than raise an eyebrow. Campaign funds used to pull a tooth at Dental Depot? Wife making loan repayments using campaign funds, on top of lots of walmart and dollar general purchases? Certainly not something good and honest politicians should be doing. They get to fudge things enough with campaign funds and using them for meals and gas but this looks to be outright fraud. Or maybe not if he has a good case. Not something I would laugh about though.

And what does it say about the candidate and his finances?
He is one of the council who decides where millions are spent. Yet he is a grown ass man that can't get $250 without tapping campaign funds. Seems pretty irresponsible.

And what does it say about the candidate and his finances?
He is one of the council who decides where millions are spent. Yet he is a grown ass man that can't get $250 without tapping campaign funds. Seems pretty irresponsible.

Meh. By that measure, people who can't measure their finances shouldn't be able to vote. How would they know who can take care of finances when they can't take care of their own?

Meh. By that measure, people who can't measure their finances shouldn't be able to vote. How would they know who can take care of finances when they can't take care of their own?
Seems pretty ignorant to elect a man that can't come up with $250 and entrust him to run a city with declining revenue projections and a myriad of other financial issues.

Meh. By that measure, people who can't measure their finances shouldn't be able to vote. How would they know who can take care of finances when they can't take care of their own?

Very poor analogy.
I have higher standards of my candidates then you do. To each their own

A Norman politician doing dumb things? Water is wet.

Edit: Should have put "any politician doing dumb things?"

OSBI Statement

https://www.facebook.com/share/14jJQqiDTu/

OSBI Statement

https://www.facebook.com/share/14jJQqiDTu/
the statement


NORMAN COUNCILMEMBER ARRESTED FOR EMBEZZLEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FEBRUARY 4, 2025
NORMAN, OK – On November 23, 2023, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation was requested to investigate allegations of fraud and embezzlement in Norman, Oklahoma.
Norman City Councilman Austin Ball, 44, reported that money from his campaign bank account had been fraudulently spent from June to November of 2023. OSBI special agents conducted interviews and reviewed documents regarding Austin Ball’s campaign bank records.
During the investigation, it was determined that Ball had spent money from his campaign account for personal benefit. Ball also filed two false documents with the Norman City Clerk.
Based on the information and evidence gathered, on February 3, 2025, an arrest warrant was issued for Ball. He turned himself in to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office and was booked into the Cleveland County Jail on charges of Embezzlement and Public Officer Making False Certificate or Writing. In addition to Austin Ball, 29-year-old Kayla Ball was charged with one count of Embezzlement related to this investigation.
We are "Protecting Oklahoma one Partnership at a time.”

https://www.normantranscript.com/colorado-court-issues-warrant-for-austin-ball/article_6cfb6a96-e5a6-11ef-9dfe-8735dc339cb9.amp.html
The hits keep on coming for this candidate.

A Norman city council member under investigation for embezzling his campaign funds also has an active warrant out for his arrest in Colorado for charges related to domestic violence.

Austin Ball, 44, is running for reelection for his council seat in Ward 1, though he was charged with embezzlement on Jan. 30, and domestic violence charges haunt his campaign.

“There is a warrant out,” said the Pueblo County Court Clerk’s office.

Another lol story...