‘Sound Of Freedom’ Subject Tim Ballard Blasts Sexual Misconduct Allegations: “Baseless Inventions Designed To Destroy Me”

deadline.com:

Tim Ballard, the former Homeland Security agent turned anti-sex-trafficking crusader whose life provided inspiration to summer box office hit Sound of Freedom, is slamming a recent Vice expose that accuses him of sexual conduct with seven women during his time with his organization Operation Underground Railroad. “As with all of the assaults on my character and integrity over many years, the latest tabloid-driven sexual allegations are false,” said Ballard in a statement, “They are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children.” The Vice piece reported that Ballard invited women to act as his wife on undercover overseas missions when he was rescuing victims of sex trafficking.

Among myriad claims in the report, Ballard would reportedly coerce these women into sharing a bed or showering together, explaining that such tactics were necessary to fool traffickers.

Ballard is portrayed by Jim Caviezel in the $210M-plus global grossing movie Sound of Freedom, which has been a big hit in red states and the heartland this past summer.

The Vice report hit as Ballard is preparing a 2024 U.S. Senate run, vying for Utah’s seat that’s being vacated by Mitt Romney.