***JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.*** — Drama and intrigue have taken over Johnson City’s local government scene due to a new court filing involving **City Manager Cathy Ball** and a controversial condo purchase. The case centers around allegations of false statements made by Ball regarding the purchase of a downtown condo owned by **Sean Williams**, a fugitive wanted on serious charges.
On **June 26**, during a media conference, **Ball claimed that she had no significant knowledge of Williams** when she signed a contract to buy his condo. When she realized he was a fugitive, she stated she immediately withdrew her offer, calling the situation an **”unfortunate coincidence.”** The condo deal fell through before it could close around **May 27**. However, recent court filings challenge this narrative and cast doubts on Ball’s account of the events leading up to the deal’s collapse.
The court documents, loaded with text messages between **Ball, her real estate agent, and Williams**, suggest a different story. According to these texts, Ball was prepared to close the deal for **$416,000** up until the last minute, but it was Williams who didn’t show up on closing day. A separate buyer eventually purchased the condo along with two others Williams owned in the same building for a total of **$800,000**.
***”The text messages show Ball never backed out of the deal, but in fact, it was Williams who failed to show up on the date of the closing,”* reads the Friday motion.** It includes a message from Ball as late as **May 25 or 26**, asking her agent about the closing process and saying, **“Hopefully something can happen next week.”**
The plaintiffs’ attorneys also argue the texts imply Ball might have known more about Williams’s background than she disclosed. For instance, an **April 25** text from Ball to the realtor reads, **“I did not tell (the home inspector) the story behind Sean.”** This exchanges raises red flags about what Ball knew and when she knew it.
In response to queries about these explosive revelations, the **city responded** stating, **“As Ms. Ball previously stated, she did not know Sean Williams, she never paid Sean Williams any money, and she did not purchase any property from Sean Williams.”**
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Ball’s interest in Williams’ condo came amid a backdrop of serious allegations against Williams. He faces **multiple federal charges** and state charges of child rape. Alleged crimes involve the same apartment that Ball nearly purchased, with authorities now claiming the offenses were filmed using cameras set up inside the property.
The **civil lawsuit against the city and members of the Johnson City Police Department (JCPD)**, filed by the plaintiffs under the pseudonym **“Jane Doe,”** argues that **victims’ constitutional rights were violated** due to the department’s failure to thoroughly investigate Williams earlier. The lawsuit alleges corruption within the JCPD as contributing to these investigatory lapses.
In addition to the primary issues at hand, the **Doe attorneys have twice sought to limit Ball from making “extrajudicial comments” about the case**. The first time was after a **August 25, 2023, news conference**, where Ball discussed comparative fault defense strategies that some viewed as **“victim-blaming.”** Although a judge denied the motion, it was stated that the comments were **”lamentable at best.”**
Following the sensational revelations from the latest filing, the **Doe attorneys renewed their motion again**, accusing Ball of trying to **”manipulate the public narrative.”** They also accused the city’s lawyers of abusing the confidential designation process for public relations purposes.
The text trail that’s now under scrutiny starts from **March 31, 2022,** showing Ball’s intent to buy downtown condos well before the deal’s unexpected end. For instance, on **April 4**, Ball texted her agent, **”I want the unit.”** By **April 8**, she confirmed her **$416,000 offer** had been accepted by Williams.
The text exchanges further detail that Williams was considering using a **power of attorney** to handle the sale due to his **”bad service in the mountains.”** By late May, the discussion about closing was ongoing, with Williams’ agent providing updates.
The agent texted Ball on **May 25**, informing her about the POA details, showing no hint of withdrawal. Ball replied, **“Marcy called me and let me know. Hopefully something can happen next week.”**
In closing, the controversies and complexities surrounding this case promise to keep grabbing the attention of Johnson City residents and beyond. With court proceedings underway and evidence still emerging, this saga is far from over.
