‘Gaslighting on a global scale’: 6 Tim Ballard accusers speak publicly for the first time
Nov 21, 2023, 11:20 PM | Updated: 11:21 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — Five women and one man who have accused Operation Underground Railroad founder Tim Ballard of sexual assault in a pair of anonymous lawsuits revealed their identities and spoke publicly with reporters for the first time Tuesday.
In a tearful, lengthy interview in Salt Lake City, the plaintiffs explained their desire to help the cause of ending human trafficking. Many said they did not want to take their stories to the public but felt an obligation to try to prevent others from being victimized in the same way they allege they were.
One of the plaintiffs, Kira Lynch, said it was “humiliating to share the most mortifying moments of my life publicly, but it had to be done to put a stop to this. To Tim Ballard and OUR: The truth is finally coming to light and the evil, the pure evil, can no longer hide.”
Several of the women allege Ballard manipulated and groomed them while having them pose as their girlfriend or wife while on undercover missions. Ballard has explained the so-called “couples ruse” used to fool traffickers and has vehemently denied any allegations of sexual misconduct.
Sasha Hightower described Ballard’s denials as “triggering,” and Lynch called them “devastating.”
“We don’t want him to hurt anyone,” she added.
#BREAKING: These are six people who say they have been victimized by @OURrescue founder @TimBallard.
For the first time, you will hear from them tonight at 6/10 on @KSL5TV.
They each cried while sharing their stories.
Ballard has denied the accusations against him. #utpol pic.twitter.com/f96TehzpUX
— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) November 21, 2023
Mike Borys, another plaintiff, called Ballard an “evil man,” and a “bully (who) has been allowed to carry out his disgusting deeds for far too long.” He said the plaintiffs aren’t trying to hurt the cause of human trafficking — as Ballard has argued in previous statements and on his podcast …
Please read the complete story by Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Lindsay Aerts at KSLTV.com.
