Family of Former U.S. Rep. Makes Public Plea for an Appeal

Ballance pleaded guilty in 2005 to federal charges involving mail fraud and money laundering. The charges stemmed from accusations he funneled $2.3 million of state money from a non-profit organization he operated to help underprivileged people fight drug and alcohol abuse. He now claims he was coerced into that plea.

“We do not feel that he is guilty of any crime,” said his son, Garey Ballance, a former district court judge who served eight months in prison for failing to file a federal income tax return.

Authorities said Frank Ballance used $100,000 personally or gave the cash to family members. Two years later, his family said that is untrue.

His family also said Ballance gave his mother money for a grant program. Ballance has served nearly two years of his four-year federal prison sentence. A year ago, he filed an appeal to get out of prison.

Family members said that when Ballance made his plea deal he faced intense heat from prosecutors that he was told his son and mother would also face jail time if he did not plead guilty.

"It's sort of a desperate act from a guy who has been convicted, a disgraced congressman, sitting in a jail cell,” Shanahan said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office had no direct comment on the case.