The Utah founder of an anti-sex trafficking operation has been accused of using self-invented training tactics to abuse at least seven female agents.
Tim Ballard, the founder of Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), is now filing defamation lawsuits against seven women who accused him of sexual misconduct.
Celeste Borys, Kira Lynch, Sasha Hightower, Mary Hall, Krista Kacey, Bree Righter, and Amy Davis all filed lawsuits against Ballard in 2023.
Six of the seven women revealed that they trained as undercover operatives for OUR, which mandates them to roleplay as Ballard's girlfriend. Ballard called the exercise "couple's ruse," which is a tactic he created to build sexual chemistry between undercover operatives in order to fool human traffickers.
OUR "permanently separated" from Ballard after some of the women filed complaints. The nonprofit no longer uses the "couple's ruse," according to FOX 13 NOW.
Ballard has reportedly attached several text messages and affidavits from witnesses to support his case.
Mark Eisenhut, an attorney representing Ballard, says the allegations against his client have increasingly strayed "further and further from the truth," which is why they have decided to file lawsuits of their own.
Referring to alleged videos, Eisenhut says it's clear from the recorded footage that the women were not under duress because they don't appear to be "stiff" or "uncomfortable."
Apparently, several women have defended Ballard's reputation prior to the sexual assault accusations.
Alan Mortensen, an attorney representing the women, told the news outlet that each of his clients was manipulated and groomed. At times, he said they didn't realize they had been sexually assaulted until weeks or months later.
"If he touched under false pretense, that by definition is sex assault," he said.
"We did not anticipate that he would file defamation cases against our clients because they're telling the truth."
Eisenhut, for his part, believes the "couple's ruse" itself is on trial while describing it as a "genius" tactic that prevents undercover agents from having to choose between either having sex or breaking their cover.
Mortensen, however, claims each of the "sexually inappropriate" actions that Ballard engaged in "would be viewed as sex assault if done outside the ruse."
Several law enforcement agencies have opened criminal investigations into Ballard.
"No charges have been filed," Eisenhut stated.
"My understanding is that they're just ongoing."
