Tim Ballard, the former Department of Homeland Security agent who served as the inspiration behind the blockbuster movie “Sound of Freedom,” has denied reports of sexual harassment after he resigned as CEO of an anti-child sex trafficking organization known as “Operation Underground Railroad” (O.U.R.).
Mr. Ballard’s resignation followed an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made against him by multiple women, Vice reports.
An O.U.R. spokesperson confirmed his departure in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times but did not explicitly state his registration was due to the alleged sexual harassment claims.
“Tim Ballard resigned from O.U.R. on June 22, 2023. He has permanently separated from O.U.R.,” the spokesperson said, “O.U.R. is dedicated to combatting sexual abuse and does not tolerate sexual harassment or discrimination by anyone in its organization.”
The spokesperson added that the Utah-based organization, which was founded by Mr. Ballard in 2013, retained an independent, third-party law firm to conduct a “comprehensive investigation of all relevant allegations” and “continues to assess and improve the governance of the organization and protocols for its operations.”
The organization declined to provide further details and comments regarding Mr. Ballard’s departure in order to “preserve the integrity of its investigation and to protect the privacy of all persons involved.”
Ballard Denies ‘Tabloid-Driven’ Sexual Allegations
Mr. Ballard was quick to respond to the allegations in a Sept. 19 statement issued through the anti-trafficking SPEAR Fund organization, for which he serves as senior adviser for rescue operations.
“As with all of the assaults on my character and integrity over many years, the latest tabloid-driven sexual allegations are false. They are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children,” Mr. Ballard said.
“During my time at O.U.R., I designed strict guidelines for myself and our operators in the field. Sexual contact was prohibited, and I led by example. Given our meticulous attention to this issue, any suggestion of inappropriate sexual contact is categorically false,” he added.
According to the Vice report, more than seven women made sexual harassment allegations against Mr. Ballard.
Mr. Ballard served as the inspiration behind the box-office success “Sound of Freedom,” directed by Alejandro Monteverde and produced by Eduardo Verastegui.
‘Sound of Freedom’ Success
In the movie, Mr. Ballard—played by actor Jim Caviezel—rescues a boy from ruthless child traffickers only to discover the boy’s sister is still being held captive by the group. He then decides to embark on a dangerous mission to save her, quitting his job to venture deep into the Colombian jungle, putting his own life on the line in the process.
The film has won resounding approval from former President Donald Trump, who hosted a screening of the movie at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, in June.
On Monday, Mr. Ballard, who is also mulling a run for the U.S. Senate in Utah to replace retiring Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), issued a statement affirming his commitment to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after it accused him of using the name of a high-level LDS church leader for his “personal advantage and activity regarded as morally unacceptable.”
In a statement to FOX 13 News, the church said the high-level LDS official had “never authorized his name, or the name of the Church, to be used for Tim’s personal or financial interests. In addition, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints never endorsed, funded, supported or represented OUR, Tim Ballard or any projects associated with them.”
Mr. Ballard, however, said church officials have been unable to verify the authenticity of the statement given to media publications including FOX 13, and questioned the “suspicious” timing of the statement “given its close proximity to Mitt Romney’s announcement that he is retiring, my own public comments about my prayers about future plans, and the fact that the LDS church does not engage in political activity.”
“I am a faithful Member in good standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I believe in Jesus Christ, the Holy Scriptures, and I believe in our faith with my whole heart. That will never change,” he added.
From The Epoch Times
