Tim Ballard.Photo:Alan Espinosa/Getty
Alan Espinosa/Getty
Tim Ballard is speaking out after being accused of sexual misconduct in an investigation involving seven women.
Ballard, the real-life subject of the indie box-office hitSound of Freedom, which follows a man who rescues children from human traffickers, issued a statement on Tuesday through the Spear Fund, for which he serves as senior advisor.
“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," Ballard said in the statement, which was sent to PEOPLE.
Ballard released a second statement, also via the Spear Fund, reaffirming his commitment to his work to end human trafficking despite the claims made against him. “We will keep fighting for the vulnerable all over the globe, and we know that the truth will always prevail,” the statement said in part.
‘Sound of Freedom’.Amazon Prime Video / Courtesy Everett
Amazon Prime Video / Courtesy Everett
VICEreported on Monday that sources “familiar with the situation” — who have chosen to remain anonymous “because they fear retaliation” — reportedly alleged to the outlet that Ballard “invited women to act as his ‘wife’ on undercover overseas missions” for the anti-child sex trafficking organizationOperation Underground Railroad(O.U.R.).
The O.U.R. founder and former CEO “would then allegedly coerce those women into sharing a bed or showering together, claiming that it was necessary to fool traffickers,” perVICE.
The publication alleged that Ballard “sent at least one woman a photo of himself in his underwear, festooned with fake tattoos.” A source alleged to the outlet that Ballard allegedly also asked another woman “how far she was willing to go” to rescue the children from sex trafficking.
A source close to O.U.R. reportedly “has detailed knowledge of Ballard making sexual advances to a volunteer using methods similar to those he allegedly used with OUR employees,” which are allegedly “consistent with his conduct toward another former volunteer” who went on record with the publication, according toVICE.
Tim Ballard.Fred Hayes/Getty
Fred Hayes/Getty
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O.U.R. said in a statement to PEOPLE that Ballard, who resigned from the organization on June 22, “has permanently separated from O.U.R.”
The organization added, “To preserve the integrity of its investigation and to protect the privacy of all persons involved, O.U.R. will not make any further public comment at this time.”
“O.U.R. is confident in its future as the leading organization committed to combatting sex trafficking and saving children who have been captured and sold into slavery,” the statement concluded.
Ballard’s exit from O.U.R. preceded the Utah organization’s internal investigation into several employees’ claims against the former CIA and U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent,VICEreported in July.
‘Sound of Freedom’.Amazon Prime Video / Courtesy Everett Collection
Amazon Prime Video / Courtesy Everett Collection
An official synopsis for the movie on Angel Studios’websitesays it “shines a light on the harrowing reality of sex trafficking and the valiant efforts of those who work tirelessly to combat it.”
Angel Studios did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
source: people.com
