For extra articles masking OUR, please go to ACJ Investigates- Derailed: Operation Underground Railroad
Unique Press Launch from the sufferer’s attorneys Alan Mortensen and Suzette Rasmussen
The seven ladies who’ve come ahead as survivors of Tim Ballard’s sexual assaults and trafficking inside Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) are talking out in response to OUR’s latest announcement to maneuver its operations to Minneapolis, together with its new branding as “OUR Rescue.”
This rebranding and relocation come at a time when, after practically a decade in Utah, the group faces deep scrutiny and is probably going reacting to the upcoming set up of a brand new Utah Legal professional Common. Survivors imagine this determination to “get out of Utah” is a transparent try by OUR to evade accountability for its systemic corruption and abuse.
Through the years, OUR has raised a whole bunch of tens of millions of {dollars} from Utah residents who believed they have been contributing to authentic anti-trafficking work. As a substitute, that cash has largely gone to cowl up deeply troubling operations in nations like Haiti, the place allegations of pressured rape and abortions of 13-year-old ladies, funded by OUR, have surfaced.
Moreover, OUR’s operations have included staging occasions the place adolescent college students are paid to attend a celebration after which offered as “rescued” intercourse slaves, deceptive donors whereas endangering these youth.
In Utah, ladies have been assaulted and trafficked underneath the guise of OUR’s fabricated “COUPLES RUSE,” creating widespread hurt to ladies and youngsters.
Including to this sample of abuse, survivors allege that OUR has laundered cash via the MS Williams account, a Wyoming LLC, funneling donations into money to fund encounters with high-end industrial intercourse employees in international nations and the US. Utilizing “apply ruses,” Ballard would buy skilled intercourse employees for his personal pleasure. By utilizing this account, OUR management has hidden their actions, which not solely exploit these funds but in addition go straight in opposition to the mission of defending and supporting the susceptible. As a substitute, OUR’s management has engaged within the very habits they declare to fight, making a facade of advantage whereas indulging in dangerous, exploitative practices.
“We’re glad to see OUR depart Utah. OUR’s model of deception and hurt has no place right here—or wherever,” the survivors’ attorneys said. “Their transfer and rebranding are merely methods to cover from the reality that may quickly meet up with them. The folks of Utah deserve higher than a corporation that covers up rapes, abortions, kidnappings, and youngster endangerment, all whereas raking in tens of millions in donations and claiming blessings from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. With a brand new Utah Legal professional Common taking workplace, the specter of OUR being investigated or taken over by the state of Utah could be very actual, and this transfer to Minneapolis looks like an apparent escape tactic.”
Minnesota now faces a doubtful addition to its legacy of inherited “Utah’s rejects”—from Seth Jeffs of theFundamentalist model of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, —and now, OUR Rescue, which was likewise began by funding from the Church. It’s a transfer the survivors hope might be met with a heightened stage of skepticism and accountability from Minnesota’s residents and leaders.
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