Utah AG Sean Reyes won’t seek re-election, says he believes accusations against Tim Ballard
This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post with more information as it becomes available.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — In announcing he will no longer seek re-election on Friday, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said that he believes the women who have accused his longtime friend Tim Ballard, the embattled founder of Operation Underground Railroad, of sexual abuse.
In a video statement posted to YouTube, the Republican said he met with all of the individuals who have filed civil lawsuits against Ballard, who is accused of grooming and abusing women under the guise of fighting child sex trafficking. The women have also claimed that Reyes’ office, which was closely tied to OUR, intimidated them.
“After hearing their stories in person, I believe them,” Reyes said. “I’m heartbroken for what they’ve endured and the trauma they will face their entire lives.”
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The attorney general added that he apologized to the women that his friendship with Ballard and the ties between his office and OUR made them feel powerless and unable to come forward for years.
“I can’t give them back those voiceless years, but I will use my last year in office working together with these survivors and any others who come forward,” he said, noting that he will work to build a task force with the women to support survivors of sexual abuse.
Suzette Rasmussen, one of the attorneys representing the individuals behind the lawsuits, said in a video statement that her clients have accepted the attorney general’s apology and are grateful for the future efforts of his office toward transparency and accountability.
“Mr. Reyes is the first and only person so far to accept responsibility for past misjudgment and his role in supporting Mr. Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad,” Rasmussen said.
She added that her clients view this development as a positive first step toward acknowledging the pain caused by Ballard, OUR and other defendants listed in the lawsuits.
The women behind the civil lawsuits have tapped the attorney general’s office to request a criminal investigation into their claims against Ballard, Reyes said, adding that he has recused himself from the case.
“I will have no involvement,” he said. “But my office will conduct a statewide investigation of Tim Ballard, Operation Underground Railroad, The SPEAR Fund or others to determine what criminal conduct occurred, if any, relating to the complaints made.”
The Utah Democratic Party called Friday for Reyes to resign. State Rep. Andrew Stoddard, D-Sandy, said in a statement that Reyes’ decision to not seek re-election is “a minimal acknowledgment of his wrongdoings.”
In his video announcement, Reyes said he would finish his current term, which ends in January 2025, but not run for a fourth.
In previous statements made in regard to his connection with Ballard, Reyes’ office denied that he ever intimidated witnesses or attempted to interfere with people testifying.
Last month, a group of Utah lawmakers requested an audit into Reyes’ office, part of which would focus on his relations with Ballard. Also under scrutiny were his travel expenses, office culture, and his administrative decision-making process.
Reyes was appointed to the attorney general’s office in 2013 by then Gov. Gary Herbert after the former attorney general, John Swallow, had resigned after corruption allegations which were later dismissed in court.
Everything to know about the Tim Ballard controversies
Like Reyes, Ballard has long been a notable figure in Utah. However, Ballard’s profile grew immensely over the summer when the independent film “Sound of Freedom” became a surprise hit. The movie dramatically depicts OUR’s international operations to free children from sex trafficking, with Ballard played by Jim Caviezel.
The lawsuits against Ballard claim that he abused OUR employees or volunteers under a tactic he devised called the “couples ruse,” where the women would pretend to be his girlfriend on undercover missions overseas. The tactic was meant to shield Ballard from engaging with trafficked victims, but the civil lawsuits allege he used the couples ruse to groom, coerce and abuse women.
ABC4 reached out to OUR and The SPEAR Fund (the organization Ballard is currently connected with) for comment. OUR said it plans to cooperate with any potential investigation conducted by the attorney general’s office.
“We are confident that the facts are on OUR’s side and remain committed to the work that our strong, resilient team of dedicated operators, staff and volunteers is doing to help fight human trafficking,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
ABC4 has yet to receive a response from The SPEAR Fund.
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