E-Sol defendant Ballow receives 40 years

by Mike Caswell

Harris Dempsey "Butch" Ballow has received 40 years in jail for defrauding Canadians and others of $32.5-million through a purported Mexican resort listing. (All figures are in U.S. dollars.) U.S. District Court Judge Ewing Werlein handed down the sentence in a court appearance on the morning of Friday, May 4. For Mr. Ballow, 75, the term is effectively a life sentence.

Still a fugitive in the case is Mr. Ballow's co-accused, former B.C. newsletter writer Al Budai. The government claims that Mr. Budai helped Mr. Ballow by touting the scheme through a radio show. Prosecutors obtained a warrant for Mr. Budai's arrest on Sept. 7, 2011, but have not yet executed that warrant. Mr. Budai was last known to be living in Mexico.

In handing down Mr. Ballow's sentence, Judge Werlein called his crime spree "despicable," noting that it included over 500 victims. The 40-year jail term was the maximum available to the judge. In addition to prison, the judge ordered Mr. Ballow to pay $37.5-million in restitution.

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