More Allegations against Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad

 

On Tuesday we wrote about Tim Ballard and the organization he founded, Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), an organization ostensibly working to rescue children being sexually trafficked.

Lawsuit Allegations against Tim Ballard

Take a deep breath. There are a lot of them.

We mentioned that Tim Ballard has been accused of sexual misconduct by several women. At least five (5) women filed a lawsuit against Ballard, OUR, and other related defendants. Here is a summary of the accusations [Note: all of these are allegations until proven in a court of law]:

• Ballard used a “Couples Ruse,” in which women other than his wife would accompany him so the traffickers would not become suspicious when Ballard and other operatives would not participate in sexual encounters with minors. In other words, a sex trafficker would bring out a victim and ask Ballard (or other operatives) to engage in sexual activity with the victim in order to "prove" that they were legit and not law enforcement. However, with a spouse present, the operative would have a legitimate reason to decline without arising suspicion. [Side note: yes, this is as ridiculous as it sounds. Among other concerns, who would bring their spouse to engage in sex acts with children?? Experts have derided the Couples Ruse, describing it as a "strange rationalization to groom women."]
• To refine the sexual chemistry between Ballard and the undercover women, Ballard allegedly encouraged women to travel around the country with him to "practice" the couples ruse, including participating in tantric yoga, couples’ massages, going to strip clubs, and lap dancing on Ballard's lap. These trips happened prior to any operations and on OUR's dime.
• Ballard claims that he implemented strict rules regarding the Couples Ruse, such as no kissing on the lips and no touching or exposing private parts.
• However, Ballard would allegedly often share a bed with the woman posing as his girlfriend or invite her to shower in his bathroom, even though accommodations at designated "safe houses" provided separate bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Ballard reportedly engaged in a ploy where he would tell the women that if they were offered alcohol, which is forbidden by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church), that she should take the drink and then open mouth, kiss him and spit the alcohol into his mouth, and then he would spit it out when the traffickers were not looking. Ballard and many of the undercover women (though not all) were members of the Mormon Church.
• Ballard allegedly participated in several sexual acts with the undercover women with the exception of actual penetration, in various states of undress while on an OUR mission.
• Ballard reportedly developed a sexual position where it appeared he was having actual sexual intercourse with his Couples Ruse victims, while not actually penetrating.
• While inside safe houses, even when no one else was around, Ballard allegedly would claim that he and his female partner had to maintain the appearance of a romantic relationship at all times because suspicious traffickers might be surveilling them at any moment.
• Ballard reportedly requested the women he invited to act as his significant other, to first have a Brazilian wax. [Side Note: Who would be seeing that area????]
• The accusers stated that other OUR employees would warn these women not to question Ballard or their lives would be put in danger.
• Ballard would allegedly ask each woman, "Is there anything you wouldn't do to save a child?"
• Ballard would also reportedly tell the women that engaging in sex play with him would improve their marriage, even as he also told them not to tell their husbands about what they were doing, because it may compromise the mission, children, their lives, or other informants’ lives.
• Ballard would allegedly repeatedly warn these women that if they failed in their mission, that they would have wasted the hard-earned money that honest donors had entrusted to OUR, or they may even be caught or killed by sex traffickers.

Yesterday, a couple (man and wife) filed another lawsuit against Ballard, OUR, and several defendants, with the following allegations [Again, all of the following are allegations until they are proven in a court of law]:

• That the Couples Ruse discussed in the first lawsuit happened with the wife and that lines were crossed.
• That their separation stemmed from Ballard's alleged inappropriate communication with the wife while she was frequently away on missions with him
• Ballard is alleged to have convinced the woman to simulate sex with him while both were clothed, hired escorts to come to his room, hired masseuses who he encouraged to touch her sexually and convinced her to post her own photos on an escort site, ostensibly to gather intelligence.
• Ballard allegedly made threats and engaged in sexual assault and battery against the woman while also offering her a substantial increase in salary along with significant bonuses.
• That threats were made to the new plaintiffs through one of Ballard’s “favorite henchmen” that resulted in the plaintiffs filing a police report with the South Jordan Police Department.

Discussion

What does this have to do with a private investigation firm, if anything? Lots, as it turns out, without even getting to the items concerning OUR. First, in regards to the personal allegations against Tim Ballard, note that this is a civil, not a criminal case. Because law enforcement officers - real ones, not people pretending like Tim Ballard - investigate crimes, non-law enforcement persons investigate civil issues like this one. Ballard has denied the allegations in the strongest terms. The proof, as they say, will be in the pudding (evidence). And evidence is gathered by investigators. While much evidence will be in the hands of the accusers, there may be ways to bolster their claims. Such as finding or interviewing witnesses, establishing corroborating information, etc. You can be certain that Ballard will have the best, most expensive defense possible. Every piece of evidence will be heavily scrutinized. You will want every arrow in your quiver.

In regards to the second, most recent lawsuit, there is plenty for a private investigator to do. As you may know, alienation of affection is a common law tort brought against third parties who are alleged to have damaged the marriage. The typical example is an innocent spouse filing a lawsuit against the person who had an affair with the cheating spouse, though the claim has been made against many others for simply recommending divorce. Claims of this type are allowed in several jurisdictions, including Utah (where the plaintiffs live). [Note: this claim is not available in Texas. See Texas Family Code Section 1.107] In order to prevail on an alienation of affection claim, the claiming party has to show each of the following (with some variation in differing states):

1. the marriage entailed love between the spouses in some degree;
2. the spousal love was alienated;
3. the defendant's malicious conduct contributed to or caused the loss of affection.

If you can provide evidence of the three elements above, you might have a viable claim. And who provides evidence in civil claims? Oh yeah. Private investigators!

In addition, there may be harassment, negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress, and other claims associated with the threats alleged to have been made against the plaintiff husband. Those allegations also need investigation.

Takeaways

Allegations can be made by anyone against anyone. What rules in courts of law is evidence. This situation is no different. There have been claims of sexual harassment, sexual battery, alienation of affection, etc. With high profile defendants, you need every piece of ammunition that you can get. Your evidence needs to be rock solid to stand up to the most intense scrutiny. That's where private investigators come in. Let us help get you justice!

Next Time

I had planned to conclude the discussion of OUR and Tim Ballard with this post, but it's already too long. Be sure to be on the lookout for our next article (Tuesday, October 17) that will go over allegations against OUR, a brief discussion and takeaways. 

 

This article was cross-posted to LinkedIn.