KNOXVILLE, Tenn — Knox County Property Assessor Phil Ballard has been indicted on a count of official misconduct, accused of abusing the use of a county vehicle while also drawing a travel allowance.

A grand jury meeting behind closed doors returned the indictment Wednesday after Blount County District Attorney General Ryan Desmond presented evidence for their review.

Such presentments remain secret by law until a defendant turns himself in.

Ballard, 71, turned himself in Thursday morning to be booked on the low-level felony charge. He then left the county detention center, having posted $5,000 bond.

Other indictments against other people may be forthcoming, WBIR has learned.

Knoxville defense attorney T. Scott Jones represents Ballard.

"Mr. Ballard learned that an indictment had bee

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