DURANGO, Colo.—William Ballantine, a board member with the company that publishes the Durango Herald and three community papers in the Four Corners area, has been indicted on federal charges of mail fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.
The Durango Herald reports ( ) a federal grand jury handed up the indictment against the Kirkland, Wash., resident on Wednesday.
Ballantine told the Herald late Wednesday he had not seen the indictment. He could not be reached immediately Thursday. An arrest warrant has been issued, but it was unclear whether he was in custody.
The indictment alleges that Ballantine used two charitable funds to send $395,000 to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Durango. He’s accused of directing the church to keep $35,000 as a donation and send $360,000 to his personal account.
The charities involved were the William Ballantine Fund and the National Philanthropic Trust, which manages the fund.
Ballantine allegedly told the church that the money transfers were so that he could start another charity. He also allegedly told National Philanthropic Trust that the church was the sole recipient of the money, according to the indictment.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
“These allegations come as a total surprise,” said Elizabeth Ballantine, one of Ballantine’s three siblings told the Herald.
Added Richard Ballantine: “Our brother has our total support.”
The Herald reports that Ballantine is on the board of Ballantine Communications Inc., publishers of the Herald, Cortez Journal, The Mancos Times, The Dolores Star, and phone books in New Mexico and Colorado.
