Women suing Tim Ballard are calling on Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes to freeze the assets of Operation Underground Railroad following years of sexual misconduct allegations against the activist. The demand comes as legal scrutiny continues for the nonprofit and its founder, whose activities have been the subject of multiple civil lawsuits and investigations since 2023.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
The push for an asset freeze follows a long history of controversy surrounding Ballard and his organization. In October 2023, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that five women filed a lawsuit accusing Ballard of sexual assault. This was followed by a second lawsuit on October 11, 2023, brought by a married couple who alleged Ballard sexually assaulted a woman and drove a wedge between her and her husband.
In a separate legal matter, a lawsuit filed in October 2023 accused Ballard of sexual misconduct and the misuse of donor funds. By late 2023, Ballard was facing four separate civil cases in Utah and was under criminal investigation for sexual wrongdoing. While one civil case was dismissed in June 2024, other legal challenges have persisted.
Attorney General Response
The Utah Attorney General's Office addressed the litigation in an October 11, 2023, statement, noting that the office was not a defendant in the complaints. The office stated that Ballard was mentioned in several paragraphs of the complaints as a supporter of the Attorney General, alleging his support was used to add credibility to the misconduct. The Attorney General denied having personal knowledge of the sexual actions described in the complaints and stated he had only observed conduct he believed to be positive and legal.
Regarding the allegations of a 'culture of deception,' the Attorney General's Office stated that while they were aware that operators sometimes posed as couples during operations, they had no direct or indirect knowledge of the sexual actions alleged in the complaints. The office also disputed claims that it had ignored a surge of consumer complaints regarding the improprieties of Ballard and the organization, stating that no senior leadership recalled receiving substantive complaints until a VICE News report in September 2023.
Recusal and Oversight
To prevent the appearance of improper influence, Attorney General Reyes and the Utah Attorney General's Office established a recusal screen in December 2020. This screen ensures that Reyes makes no decisions on behalf of the office regarding Davis County, Tim Ballard, or Operation Underground Railroad. Under this arrangement, Spencer Austin, the Chief Criminal Deputy for the Utah Attorney General's Office, holds final authority over decisions related to Davis County inquiries into Ballard and the organization.
The office also noted that the Division of Consumer Protection, which regulates nonprofits in Utah, has a separate group of assistant attorneys general representing it. This group is screened off from the Attorney General and key staff members who may have connections to the defendants, ensuring that investigations into Ballard or the nonprofit remain independent.
Financial Profile of Our Rescue
The financial scale of Our Rescue is significant. According to ProPublica, the organization reported $35.4 million in revenue and $37.3 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending in 2025. Total assets for the organization were reported at $36.9 million, with total liabilities of $2.12 million.
Internal compensation for key employees in 2025 included $417,882 for Senior Vice President Teresa Harland and $416,377 for former CEO Tammy Lee. Other high-ranking officials, such as CEO Derek Benner, received $413,387 in compensation. The organization's board of directors includes several members, such as Abigail Casas Munoz and James Sweeney, though they reported $0 in compensation.
Statutory Grounds for Dissolution
The legal landscape for nonprofit dissolution in Utah provides specific grounds for judicial action. Under Utah Code Section 16-6a-1414, an attorney general may bring an action to dissolve a nonprofit if it is established that the corporation obtained its articles of incorporation through fraud or has continued to exceed or abuse its authority under the law.
Additionally, a person bringing a misconduct claim—defined as a claim for fraud, breach of public trust, an intentional tort, or certain criminal conduct such as sexual offenses—may also bring an action to dissolve the nonprofit. If a court finds a nonprofit liable for such misconduct, it has the authority to issue an injunction preventing the corporation from selling or disposing of its assets, or to require the deposit of funds with the court for damages.
Historical Context
The investigation into Ballard's conduct has intersected with various law enforcement entities. In April 2024, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that Utah County prosecutors declined to charge Ballard following a sexual assault allegation. However, the Davis County Attorney's Office continues to handle various prosecutorial functions, including the investigation of felony crimes and providing legal advice to government officials.
As of August 2025, Ballard remains a figure of significant controversy, with his departure from Operation Underground Railroad following investigations into sexual misconduct reported by VICE News in September 2023. The organization's status remains under scrutiny as legal proceedings and investigations continue to unfold.
