Tim Ballard, whose purported rescues of sex-trafficking victims were fictionalized in the hit summer movie Sound of Freedom, earlier this year left the advocacy group he founded after an internal investigation of sexual misconduct claims, sources familiar with the organization have confirmed. Ballard did not return a request for comment on the allegations.
According to Vice News, which corroborated reporting from Utah journalist Lynn Packer, Ballard stepped down as CEO of the anti-trafficking nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad amid complaints from seven women who said he made inappropriate advances in the course of missions abroad. His accusers — who have remained anonymous for fear of retaliation — alleged that Ballard would have different women pose as his wife during these trips, a pretext he used to suggest sharing a bed or showering together to maintain cover. The complaints detailed incidents in which Ballard allegedly sent a photo of himself in his underwear to one female OUR employee, and asked another how far she was willing to go to save children. As yet, none of Ballard’s accusers have spoken to the media.
The nature of the complaints first emerged in an anonymous letter sent to OUR staff and donors this summer about the circumstances of Ballard’s quiet departure. (OUR has since dodged questions around why Ballard resigned right before the release of the hagiographic Sound of Freedom.) The letter claimed that a sexual harassment complaint against Ballard...
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