Tim Ballard, a prominent figure in the Latter-day Saint community, is currently involved in four lawsuits following accusations in the latter part of 2023. In his initial legal response, Ballard’s defense team has filed a motion to remove alleged stolen and confidential information from the lawsuits.
The former CEO of Operation Underground Railroad, an organization dedicated to fighting against human trafficking, Ballard faces charges of sexual misconduct and the misuse of funds.
In the motion filed on December 20, 2023, Ballard’s team claims “privileged and confidential information that Mr. Ballard’s former Executive Assistant, Celeste Borys, appears to have stolen from his private email” has been illegally used in the lawsuits. Further, it states those involved in the lawsuit have refused requests to return or destroy the documents obtained.
Celeste Borys reading a statement against Tim Ballard. | XThe motion calls for the court to strike the stolen information from the pleadings and order its return to Ballard.
In addition to the alleged confidential information being stricken from the record and returned, Ballard’s team would also like the court to order the women in the lawsuit to identify themselves. Three of the five have already done so; two continue to wish to remain anonymous.
Celeste Borys says Tim Ballard ruined her marriage; she was made to believe that “everyone was always out to get us because we were exposing evil pedophiles.”
“I was molested & sexually assaulted by Tim in 4 different states, 5 different countries, in the span of 10 months.” pic.twitter.com/so095auT8H
— Adam Herbets, FOX 13 🏔️ (@AdamHerbets) November 22, 2023
The motion states Ballard should not be required to respond to the complaints against him until all the victims come forward publicly. The motion states, “The five Plaintiffs in this case filed their suit anonymously and have refused to provide their identities, despite Mr. Ballard’s repeated requests that he may know who has alleged what against him. Mr. Ballard should not have to respond to the FAC (First Amended Complaint) until he learns this information.”
The accusations are described as “salacious and irrelevant” and Ballard maintains his innocence.
President M. Russell Ballard (left) and Tim Ballard (right) in July 2019. | FacebookIn September, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a rare public statement condemning certain actions by Ballard, including the alleged use of President M. Russell Ballard’s name for personal gain. It read:
President Ballard and Tim Ballard (no relation) established a friendship a number of years ago. That friendship was built on a shared interest in looking after God’s children wherever they are and without regard to their circumstance. However, that relationship is in the past.
For many months, President Ballard has had no contact with the founder of Operation Underground Railroad (OUR). The nature of that relationship was always in support of vulnerable children being abused, trafficked, and otherwise neglected. Once it became clear Tim Ballard had betrayed their friendship, through the unauthorized use of President Ballard’s name for Tim Ballard’s personal advantage and activity regarded as morally unacceptable, President Ballard withdrew his association. President Ballard never authorized his name, or the name of the Church, to be used for Tim’s personal or financial interests.
In addition, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints never endorsed, supported, or represented OUR, Tim Ballard, or any projects associated with them.
President Ballard loves children, all over the world. It has been his mission and life’s work to look after them, care for them, and point them to their Savior.
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.
