Five Utah residents have filed a civil lawsuit against Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) founder Tim Ballard and the organization, alleging sexual assault, fraud, and emotional abuse. The lawsuit, filed in the 3rd Judicial District Court in Salt Lake County, claims that Ballard intentionally engaged in battery and sexual assault under the guise of a couples ruse used to save trafficked children and women.
The plaintiffs, who are only identified by initials, accuse Ballard of abusing the couples ruse and using it as a tool for sexual grooming. According to the lawsuit, Ballard manipulated women by leveraging his relationships with others to coerce them into sexual contact. The plaintiffs detail the alleged grooming tactics in a 30-page document.
The lawsuit also raises concerns about the relationship between Ballard and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, who has publicly supported OUR and Ballard. The suit suggests that complaints and criminal investigations regarding OUR and Ballard were brought to Reyes’ office.
In response to the allegations, Ballard denied any sexual contact through the couples ruse and labeled the claims as false and baseless. He emphasized that the accusations aimed to destroy his character and the movement to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children.
The lawsuit further alleges that OUR made significant profits through for profit companies established by Ballard, accusing him of personally benefiting financially while claiming they were alter-egos of OUR.
The plaintiffs seek unspecified general and punitive damages, citing severe emotional distress, permanent injury, loss of self-esteem, and other damages resulting from the defendants’ alleged wrongful conduct.
Ballard is no longer affiliated with OUR after an internal investigation into his activities. He currently serves as a senior adviser to the Spear Fund, an organization collaborating with and funding anti-trafficking initiatives.
The story of Tim Ballard’s life and work with OUR recently inspired a box office success titled The Sound of Freedom.
