Declaration of Deanna Hanks: Account of Airbnb Rental Involving Tim Ballard Associate
A sworn declaration submitted by Deanna Hanks in litigation involving Tim Ballard provides an account of an Airbnb rental at her Nashville, Tennessee property in November 2022. The declaration is based on Hanks’ personal observations and records.
Background
Hanks states that she operates a short-term rental apartment at her residence through Airbnb. The unit has a separate entrance and exterior security cameras monitoring the property.
Booking and Occupancy
According to the declaration:
- The apartment was rented on November 8–9, 2022, by an individual identified as Maggie Bellone
- Hanks later learned Bellone was an executive assistant to Tim Ballard
- The booking was made on short notice
Hanks states that she initially believed Bellone would be the occupant.
Observed Activity
Hanks describes events captured on security cameras:
- A man and a woman arrived late on November 8
- The man assisted the woman into the apartment and then left
- The following morning, the man returned by climbing over a fence rather than using the entrance
- He remained inside for a period of time and later exited by again climbing over the fence
Hanks states this behavior raised concerns about unauthorized access and safety.
Communication and Review
Hanks states that:
- She contacted Bellone regarding the incident
- Bellone apologized
- Hanks subsequently left a negative review on Airbnb
The review, included as Exhibit A (page 7), describes:
- A discrepancy between the booking details and actual occupants
- The man’s entry by climbing over a steel gate and porch railing
- Concerns about failure to follow property rules
Identification of Individual
Hanks states that:
- Her records indicated the rental was associated with an individual named Brian Black
- She later became aware that Brian Black is Timothy Ballard
- After viewing Ballard’s photograph online, she states she is confident he was the individual observed on camera assisting the woman and later entering the property by climbing over the fence
Law Enforcement Contact
Hanks states that:
- A Utah law enforcement officer contacted her approximately 6 to 12 months prior to the declaration regarding the rental
- She verified the officer’s credentials and provided information
She further states she later provided the same information to attorneys representing plaintiffs in the case.
Documentation
The declaration includes:
- The Airbnb review authored by Hanks shortly after the rental (page 7)
- Confirmation that she maintained personal notes indicating the rental was for “Brian Black”
Hanks states she was unable to locate the original Airbnb transaction but retained the review and notes.
Conclusion
The declaration provides a firsthand account of a November 2022 Airbnb rental involving individuals later identified as connected to Tim Ballard. It describes observed activity, communications with the booking party, and subsequent identification of the individual involved.
The statements are made under penalty of perjury and have not been independently adjudicated.
