Tim Ballard Explained

Tim Ballard
Birth Name:Timothy Ballard
Birth Place:Provo, Utah, U.S.
Education:Brigham Young University (BA)
Monterey Institute of International Studies (MA)
Spouse:Katherine Ballard
Children:9 (2 adopted)
Known For:Founder of Operation Underground Railroad

Timothy Ballard is the founder and former CEO of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.),[1] an anti-sex trafficking organization.[2] [3] [4] [5] Ballard was removed as CEO and forced to leave O.U.R. in 2023 amid accusations of sexual misconduct by multiple employees.[6] Shortly afterward, five women filed a lawsuit against Ballard, accusing him of coercing them into sexual acts during his sting operations. Another lawsuit was then filed against Ballard by a married couple, accusing him of sexual assault and grooming. Utah Governor Spencer Cox subsequently called for a criminal investigation into Ballard's actions.

In a September 2023 statement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement condemning Ballard for "activity regarded as morally unacceptable."[7] In a December 2023 statement posted on its website, O.U.R. said an independent law firm reached the conclusion that Ballard had "engaged in unprofessional behavior that violated OUR's policies and values."[8]

The 2023 American Christian thriller film Sound of Freedom, starring Jim Caviezel, is a highly fictionalized account of Ballard's work.[9] [10]

Early life and education

Ballard grew up in California[11] and graduated from La Cañada High School in 1994.[12] As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served a two-year mission to Chile. Afterwards, he attended Brigham Young University (BYU) and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and political science. He then obtained a Master of Arts in international politics from the Monterey Institute of International Studies (now part of Middlebury College), graduating summa cum laude.[13]

Operation Underground Railroad

Ballard founded the non-profit organization Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) in 2013.[14] He has claimed, without evidence, that his organization has rescued thousands of trafficking victims.[15] He was invited by Donald Trump to join a White House anti-trafficking advisory board.[16]

On May 14, 2015, Ballard testified before the United States Congress House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Global Human Rights during which he recommended procedures and practices for rescuing children from trafficking rings.[17] The hearing focused on partnerships between the U.S. government and non-governmental organizations that rescue trafficking victims.[18] On March 6, 2019, Ballard testified before the US Senate Judiciary Committee about US-Mexico border security and its relation to child sex trafficking.[19] [20] As early as 2016, Ballard was criticized for broadcasting raids without regard for victim privacy.[21] [22]

Ballard was appointed to the White House Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking in 2019.[23] The Council was terminated as required by the enabling legislation on September 30, 2020.[24]

In October 2020, the Attorney's Office of Davis County, Utah initiated an investigation into complaints that O.U.R. and Ballard had conducted illegal fundraising efforts.[25] [26] [27] No charges were filed and the investigation was closed on March 28, 2023.[28]

Ballard and supporters of O.U.R. have been accused of promoting the QAnon conspiracy theory as early as 2020.[29] [30] [31] In July 2023, the month Sound of Freedom was released, Ballard stated that this claim is not true and is being used to discredit him and the film.[32] In an interview with Jordan Peterson the same month, Ballard claimed, without evidence, to have recently raided a West African "baby factory", where children were sold for organ harvesting and Satanic ritual abuse, a claim that echoed a QAnon conspiracy theory.[33] [34]

In 2021, Ballard paid himself $355,000 in salary and compensation as CEO of O.U.R. In 2022, his salary had risen to $546,548.[35]

Sexual misconduct allegations and resignation

Ballard was removed as CEO and forced to leave O.U.R. in 2023.[36] [37] At the time, Vice reported: "An anonymous letter sent to employees of and donors to the anti-trafficking group Operation Underground Railroad asserts that founder Tim Ballard left the organization recently after an internal investigation into claims made against him by multiple employees".[38] Vice later reported that his departure had followed allegations of sexual misconduct.[39] The contents of the anonymous letter were published in full on September 17; it alleged a pattern of grooming and manipulation of women affiliated with the organization.[39] [40] [41]

In the same week that the allegations were made public, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints publicly denounced Ballard, stating that he had used the name of church leader M. Russell Ballard (no relation) for personal gain, and called his conduct "morally unacceptable".[42] The governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, called the sexual misconduct allegations "disturbing" and "unconscionable" if true.[43] Ballard denied the accusations, saying that "they are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children."[44]

On September 28, several former employees and former contractors released a statement through attorney Suzette Rasmussen affirming the allegations against Ballard, stating that they were "subjected to sexual harassment, spiritual manipulation, grooming, and sexual misconduct."[45] That same morning, O.U.R. released a statement confirming that they had launched an investigation into the allegations when they were first made, and that at the conclusion of that investigation, Ballard resigned.[46]

Following the allegations and denunciation, Ballard's books were removed from the website and stores of his publisher Shadow Mountain Publishing and its parent company Deseret Book, which is owned by the LDS Church. Previously, his books had been criticized by scholars for inaccurate content.[47]

On October 9, 2023, a lawsuit was filed by five women who said they were coerced into sexual acts by Ballard during his sting operations.[48]

On October 11, 2023, a married couple filed a lawsuit against O.U.R. and Ballard, accusing Ballard of sexual assault and grooming. In a statement in the lawsuit, the husband alleged that Ballard wanted his wife to help O.U.R., despite her having "no training in any sort of undercover work." The lawsuit went on to state that Ballard began abusing the "couples ruse", in which Ballard had women pose undercover as his wife or girlfriend to fool traffickers on purported rescue missions, and used it as a tool for sexual grooming.[49]

On October 19, 2023, the governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, called for a criminal investigation into the allegations made against Ballard.[50]

In January 2024 one of Ballard's accusers filed additional criminal complaints of sexual assault in four California jurisdictions.[51]

Other work

Ballard was the former CEO of The Nazarene Fund, a Glenn Beck-backed Christian organization.[52]

Media appearances

The 2016 documentary The Abolitionists, produced by Gerald Molen, featured the first operations undertaken by Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad.[53] Another documentary from director Nick Nanton, Operation Toussaint, was produced in 2018 which featured an operation in Haiti that had the support of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse and former US congresswoman Mia Love of Utah.[54]

ESPN featured Ballard and Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin in a piece which highlighted the restavek issue near the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.[55] Tomlin would also write the foreword to Ballard's book Slave Stealers: True Accounts of Slave Rescues – Then and Now.[56] [57] [58]

A feature film, Sound of Freedom, starring Jim Caviezel as Ballard, was announced in 2018[59] [60] and released in theaters in 2023.[61]

Personal life

Ballard and his wife Katherine met at Brigham Young University.[62] As of 2015, their family resided in Utah and Ballard was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[63]

Friendships

Ballard is close friends with Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and a longtime close friend of political commentator Glenn Beck.[64] [65] In October 2023 Beck said the two would talk on the phone “all the time”.[66]

Ballard was also a former friend of M. Russell Ballard, who was the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles within the LDS Church until his death in November 2023, a position he had held since January 2018.[67] [68] However, their friendship ended when M. Russell Ballard became aware of Tim Ballard's misconduct.

Bibliography

Source:[69]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Merlan. Anna. Tim Ballard Has 'Stepped Away' From Operation Underground Railroad, Org Says. Vice. July 13, 2023. en-US. July 13, 2023.
  2. News: Founder, CEO of Operation Underground Railroad to speak at UVU. October 7, 2016. DeseretNews.com. July 12, 2017. en. September 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180929175257/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865664249/Founder-CEO-of-Operation-Underground-Railroad-to-speak-at-UVU.html. dead.
  3. Web site: Crossfit OUR. Crossfit OUR. July 12, 2017. July 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180715235950/https://www.crossfitour.com/our-cause. dead.
  4. News: Conley . Meg . Called by God . . May 11, 2021 . September 14, 2023 .
  5. Web site: . Biographic Information for Members of the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking . . September 14, 2023 .
  6. Web site: Lewis . Scott . "Nothing will change my core beliefs": Tim Ballard issues statement calling LDS denunciation 'alleged' . ABC4 Utah . 3 February 2024 . 19 September 2023.
  7. Web site: Herbets . Adam . New court filings detail Tim Ballard's discipline with LDS Church . www.fox13now.com . January 27, 2024 . Fox 13 Salt Lake City . 10 March 2024 . en.
  8. Web site: Beal-Cvetko . Bridger . Operation Underground Railroad announces new leadership after Tim Ballard ouster . www.ksl.com . Deseret Digital Media . 13 February 2024 . en.
  9. News: Jurgensen . John . July 2, 2023 . A Child-Trafficking Thriller Is Taking on Hollywood. Who's Behind It? . en-US . Wall Street Journal . July 11, 2023 . 0099-9660 . subscription.
  10. Web site: Lehmann . Chris . "Sound of Freedom" Is a QAnon Fever Dream . The Nation . 20 October 2023 . 7 August 2023.
  11. News: Rescuing Children from Sex Slavery: One Mormon's Inspired Mission . Jamie . Armstrong . October 18, 2018 . LDS yLiving . July 12, 2019 . July 15, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190715170550/http://www.ldsliving.com/Rescuing-Children-from-Sex-Slavery-One-Mormon-s-Inspired-Mission/s/78169 . dead .
  12. Web site: LCF Duo Teams Up to Create 'Sound of Freedom'. Alva. Mia. La Cañada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun. July 30, 2023. September 29, 2023.
  13. Web site: The Team . https://web.archive.org/web/20200718070522/https://ourrescue.org/about#team. July 18, 2020. live. Operation Underground Railroad . July 12, 2019.
  14. News: Operation Underground Railroad: Saves lives in ways most can't . Hanson . Kurt . . July 12, 2019 . en . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108162953/http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/operation-underground-railroad-saves-lives-in-ways-most-can-t/article_2ffb9b8a-7c7e-5f1f-b28f-e3227047edb0.html . November 8, 2020.
  15. Web site: July 13, 2023 . Why Sound Of Freedom Is So Controversial . July 22, 2023 . Screen Rant.
  16. Web site: Tiffany . Kaitlyn . December 9, 2021 . The Great (Fake) Child-Sex-Trafficking Epidemic . https://web.archive.org/web/20230105105948/https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/01/children-sex-trafficking-conspiracy-epidemic/620845/ . January 5, 2023 . July 14, 2023 . The Atlantic.
  17. Web site: Hearing Sex Trafficking Victims, May 14 2015 . . en-US. July 12, 2017.
  18. Web site: Hearing: Sex Trafficking Victims . May 14, 2015 . . en-US . July 12, 2019.
  19. Web site: Watch: Senate Judiciary Committee holds hearing on human trafficking at U.S. southern border . March 6, 2019 . PBS NewsHour . en-us . June 21, 2019.
  20. Web site: Oversight of Customs and Border Protection's Response to the Smuggling of Persons at the Southern Border . U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary . March 6, 2019 . en . June 21, 2019.
  21. News: Tom . Jackman . Hunting for sex-traffickers abroad. . September 23, 2016 . July 15, 2017.
  22. Jenna. Kajewski. The Hypocrisy of Trump's Anti-Trafficking Argument for a Border Wall. The New Yorker. February 5, 2019. July 15, 2017.
  23. Web site: President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Appoint Individuals to Key Administration Posts . October 29, 2019 . en-US . . . January 4, 2020.
  24. Web site: Biographic Information for Members of the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking . https://web.archive.org/web/20221028183220/https://www.state.gov/biographic-information-for-members-of-the-public-private-partnership-advisory-council-to-end-human-trafficking/ . October 28, 2022. U.S. Department of State . March 11, 2023.
  25. Web site: Anti-human trafficking group Operation Underground Railroad under criminal investigation by Utah prosecutor . Adam . Herbets . Nate . Carlisle . amp . October 8, 2020 . KSTU.
  26. Web site: Anti-human-trafficking group Operation Underground Railroad under investigation . Adam . Herbets . October 10, 2020 . Cedar City News.
  27. Web site: Breaking News: Anti-human trafficking group Operation Underground Railroad under criminal investigation by Davis County Attorney . October 8, 2020 . American Crime Journal.
  28. Web site: Davis County Attorney's Office closes investigation into Operation Underground Railroad . May 12, 2023 .
  29. News: Roose . Kevin . QAnon Followers Are Hijacking the #SaveTheChildren Movement . . August 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230705115910/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/12/technology/qanon-save-the-children-trafficking.html . July 5, 2023 . live . July 14, 2023.
  30. Web site: Donald Trump Is Gone, But QAnon's Sex Trafficking Conspiracies Are Here To Stay . Otillia . Steadman . April 23, 2021 . BuzzFeed News.
  31. Web site: WWE Referee, Wrestler-Turned-Mayor Fundraise For QAnon-Adjacent Charity . David . Bixenspan . September 29, 2020 . Vice.com.
  32. Web site: Ballard interview, Fox News . Elizabeth. Heckman. July 10, 2023 . Fox News.
  33. Web site: Long . Katherine . 'Sound of Freedom,' this summer's surprise blockbuster, is fronted by a QAnon supporter and financed by a man who defrauded Medicare . Insider . July 18, 2023.
  34. Web site: Jim Caviezel and Tim Ballard EP 372 . YouTube . July 3, 2023 . July 18, 2023 . en.
  35. News: Corky Siemaszko . September 19, 2023 . 'Sound of Freedom' inspiration Tim Ballard resigned from child rescue group after misconduct reports . en . NBC . September 24, 2023.
  36. Web site: Lewis . Scott . "Nothing will change my core beliefs": Tim Ballard issues statement calling LDS denunciation 'alleged' . ABC4 Utah . 3 February 2024 . 19 September 2023.
  37. News: Scribner . Herb . July 13, 2023 . The man at the center of 'Sound of Freedom' abruptly leaves group he founded . The Washington Post . September 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230713212805/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2023/07/13/sound-of-freedom-tim-ballard-operation-underground-railroad-trump/ . July 13, 2023.
  38. Web site: Merlan . Anna . July 18, 2023 . Tim Ballard Left Operation Underground Railroad After Investigation into Claims Made by Employees . September 16, 2023 . Vice.
  39. Web site: Merlan . Anna . Tim Ballard's Departure From Operation Underground Railroad Followed Sexual Misconduct Investigation . VICE . September 18, 2023 . September 18, 2023.
  40. Web site: 'Sound Of Freedom' Movie's Hero, Tim Ballard, Subject Of Sexual Misconduct Allegations & Inquiry Involving 7 Women – Report. Deadline Hollywood. September 18, 2023 .
  41. News: 'Sound of Freedom' Team Silent on New Allegations Against Real-Life Subject Tim Ballard. September 18, 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  42. Web site: LDS Church calls activity of Tim Ballard 'morally unacceptable' . FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU) . September 24, 2023 . en . September 15, 2023.
  43. Web site: September 21, 2023 . Cox calls Ballard allegations 'disturbing' and 'unconscionable,' if true . September 28, 2023 . FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU) . en.
  44. Web site: Siemaszko. Corky . 'Sound of Freedom' inspiration Tim Ballard resigned from child rescue group after misconduct reports . . September 19, 2023 . September 19, 2023.
  45. Web site: Tomco . Brigham . Attorney for former OUR employees says they 'affirm' allegations of sexual misconduct against Tim Ballard . Deseret News . 2 October 2023 . en . 28 September 2023.
  46. News: Tim Ballard, of 'Sound of Freedom' fame, accused of sexual misconduct. The Washington Post. 10 October 2023.
  47. News: Eddington. Mark. 2023-09-29. More bad news for Tim Ballard: LDS Church-owned Deseret Book yanks his books. live. The Salt Lake Tribune. https://web.archive.org/web/20231227132406/https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2023/09/29/more-bad-news-tim-ballard-lds/. 2023-12-27. 2023-12-27.
  48. Web site: Drenon . Brandon . Tim Ballard: US child-trafficking opponent who inspired Sound of Freedom accused of assault . BBC News . 15 October 2023 . 11 October 2023.
  49. Web site: Beal-Cvetko . Bridger . Aerts . Lindsay . Oct 11, 2023 . 2nd lawsuit filed against Operation Underground Railroad founder Tim Ballard . www.ksl.com . 15 October 2023 . en.
  50. Web site: Utah Governor advocates for criminal investigation into former anti-trafficking CEO . WEAR . 24 October 2023 . en . 20 October 2023.
  51. Web site: Tim Ballard faces four new criminal sexual assault complaints in California, attorney says . 2024-01-15 . The Salt Lake Tribune . en-US.
  52. Web site: Merlan . Anna . Marchman . Tim . July 19, 2023 . Tim Ballard Out as CEO at Glenn Beck-Backed Nazarene Fund . September 14, 2023 . Vice . en.
  53. Web site: 'Abolitionists' Documentary Series About Rescuing Kids From Sex Slavery Shopped . Andreeva . Nellie . June 1, 2015 . Deadline Hollywood . en . June 21, 2019.
  54. Web site: Armstrong . Jamie . June 2, 2017 . LDS Congresswoman, Operation Underground Railroad Founder Meet with President of Haiti to Address Human Trafficking . June 21, 2019 . LDS Living.
  55. Web site: Mike Tomlin, Steelers partner with anti-sex-trafficking initiative . Jeremy . Fowler . November 2, 2017 . ESPN.com . en . June 21, 2019.
  56. Web site: Tomlin helping to tell a tough story . Teresa . Varley . August 3, 2018 . Steelers.com . en-US . June 21, 2019.
  57. Web site: Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are doing their part to end child sex trafficking . Fittipaldo . Ray . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . en . August 3, 2008 . February 16, 2020.
  58. Web site: Mike Tomlin Authors Foreward For New Book Focusing On Fight Against Human Trafficking . August 3, 2018 . . en . June 21, 2019.
  59. News: Bond . Paul . September 6, 2016 . Child Sex Trafficking Explored in New Doc 'Abolitionists' (Exclusive Video) . June 21, 2019 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  60. News: Bond . Paul . June 15, 2018 . Blockchain Platform TaTaTu to Co-Finance 'Sound of Freedom' . June 21, 2019 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  61. Bramesco . Charles . 'Sound Of Freedom' Is a Superhero Movie for Dads With Brainworms . . July 7, 2023 . July 8, 2023.
  62. Web site: Tim Ballard's Wife, Katherine . September 8, 2023 . ourrescue.org . en.
  63. Web site: March 15, 2015 . Saving Children: Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad . July 21, 2023 . Latter-day Saints Channel . en.
  64. News: Gehrke . Robert . Sean Reyes' friendship with Tim Ballard has Utah lawmakers weighing major changes for A.G.'s office . October 15, 2013 . Salt Lake Tribune . October 12, 2023.
  65. News: Hatch . Heidi . Glenn Beck says he was 'completely duped' by close friend Tim Ballard . October 22, 2023 . KUTV . October 6, 2023.
  66. News: Pace . Eliza . Aerts . Lindsay . Glenn Beck says he feels 'duped' by friend, Tim Ballard amidst allegations . October 22, 2023 . October 6, 2023.
  67. Web site: M. Russell Ballard . 2023-11-27 . www.churchofjesuschrist.org.
  68. News: Fletcher Stack . Peggy . LDS Church didn't denounce me, Tim Ballard fires back . October 15, 2023 . Salt Lake Tribune . September 19, 2023.
  69. Web site: Author - Timothy Ballard - Deseret Book . September 14, 2023 . September 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230918085230/https://deseretbook.com/t/author/timothy-ballard . dead .

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