Ex-charity official Ballard indicted on 28 counts of theft

Kim Smith

Friday, March 8, 2002 | 10 a.m.

A former regional director of the American Cancer Society's Las Vegas operation has been indicted for allegedly stealing more than $195,000 from the organization.

Willette Cheryl Ballard faces 28 theft counts, many of which carry a one- to 10-year prison sentence, Chief Deputy District Attorney Valerie Adair said.

Adair said that between Oct. 1, 1997, and July 30, 1999, Ballard diverted donations from the organization's general bank account to an account set up for the Ross Miller Golf Classic.

The tournament account was only supposed to be open for a specific amount of time every year, but Ballard kept it open year-round and used it to write personal checks, Adair said.

The tournament is conducted by former Gov. Bob Miller in honor of his father, Ross Miller, who died of cancer at 67 in 1975.

According to the indictment, Ballard wrote checks for amounts ranging from $250 to $57,000 to pay herself, her cell phone bill or her credit card bills.

At the time of Ballard's arrest in October, charity spokeswoman Chris Uithoven said the charity did not incur a loss, as the funds in question were insured.

Willette is scheduled to be arraigned by District Judge Nancy Saitta within the next few weeks.