Anti-child trafficking activist Tim Ballard resigned from the organization he founded after he was accused of sexually harassing multiple colleagues, according to a report.
Ballard, a former Department of Homeland Security agent, left Operation Underground Railroad in June for unknown reasons. However, a new report claims that the activist resigned after the organization launched a sexual misconduct investigation against him, with the investigation involving at least seven women.
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Ballard is accused of inviting women who were Operation Underground Railroad staff and volunteers to accompany him when going on missions overseas to pose as his wife, and he would later coerce them into sharing a bed with him or showering together. Ballard told the women that doing so was necessary to fool traffickers.
One of the women claimed to have received photographs of Ballard in only his underwear with fake tattoos, and another woman was asked “how far she was willing to go” to save children, according to the report.
“OUR is dedicated to combatting sexual abuse, and does not tolerate sexual harassment or discrimination by anyone in its organization,” a statement from the organization read. “[We] retained an independent law firm to conduct a comprehensive investigation of all relevant allegations, and OUR continues to assess and improve the governance of the organization and protocols for its operations. To preserve the integrity of its investigation and to protect the privacy of all persons involved, OUR will not make any further public comment at this time.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which Ballard is a former member of, also issued a statement condemning him for trying to use the church for his "personal or financial interests." Ballard has issued his own response through the Spear Fund, an anti-trafficking organization where Ballard serves as senior adviser, in which he affirmed his commitment to the church.
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“It has been alleged that an LDS church spokesperson issued a statement about me through a tabloid that is often hostile to people of faith," the statement read. "My church has not publicly verified the statement’s authenticity. We are also highly suspicious about the timing of such a 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. In any event, nothing will change my core beliefs. If someone within the church did release this statement, I am absolutely confident that the right people will step in and ensure that proper due process is followed as the rules of our church dictate."
Ballard's story of rescuing children from sex slavery was detailed in the film Sound of Freedom, which was released earlier this year and was a surprise hit at the box office, even earning the praise of former President Donald Trump. Ballard is also rumored to launch a run for the Senate in Utah in the wake of Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) announcing his retirement.