In a report published August 24, Charity Navigator announced that Our Rescue has earned a 4/4 star rating. The Salt Lake City-based educational organization has also been the subject of multiple investigations and legal actions involving Tim Ballard.
According to several reports, Tim Ballard has faced multiple legal challenges. On October 9, 2023, The Salt Lake Tribune reported that five women filed a lawsuit accusing Ballard of sexual assault. A subsequent lawsuit filed on October 25, 2024, accused Ballard of human trafficking, alleging he coerced and sexually abused multiple women.
In April 2, 2024, The Salt Lake Tribune noted that the sexual assault lawsuit against Ballard served as a test for Utah's new nondisclosure agreement law. On April 2, 2026, Utah County prosecutors declined to charge Ballard following a sexual assault allegation. Additionally, on July 21, 2025, FOX 13 reported that a lawsuit was dismissed after a judge ruled that evidence from an email sent by Ballard could not be used.
Other media outlets have covered the organization's history and leadership. On July 6, 2023, VICE published an article regarding claims made by the anti-trafficking group. On September 15, 2023, Fox13 reported that Operation Underground Railroad spent years downplaying a criminal investigation. On February 20, 2024, FOX13 reported that Our Rescue was the subject of an active investigation, noting a judge ordered Tim Ballard to be interviewed under oath within 30 days.
The organization has provided a response to the alerts mentioned in these reports.
