Righter v. Ballard: Complaint Alleges Sexual Misconduct, Fraud, and Operational Misrepresentation
A civil complaint filed in the Third Judicial District Court in Salt Lake County, Utah, by Jordana Bree Righter alleges misconduct, fraud, and personal injury arising from her involvement with Tim Ballard, Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), and affiliated entities.
Parties and Structure
The lawsuit names:
- Tim Ballard (individually and as alleged alter ego of associated entities)
- Operation Underground Railroad (OUR)
- Deacon, Inc.
- Matthew Cooper (OUR employee)
The complaint alleges that Ballard operated these entities in a unified manner and used them to conduct operations and manage funds.
Overview of Allegations
The complaint presents claims involving:
- Sexual misconduct and coercion
- Fraudulent misrepresentation of operations
- Unsafe training practices
- Misuse of organizational structure and donor funding
These claims are presented as part of a broader pattern tied to operational practices within OUR.
“Couples Ruse” Allegations
A central component of the complaint concerns a tactic referred to as the “couples ruse,” described as an undercover method used during operations.
Allegations include:
- The tactic was institutionalized within the organization
- It involved male operators posing as romantic partners with female operatives
- The practice allegedly evolved into coercive and sexually suggestive conduct
The complaint alleges that:
- Women were asked to “practice” physical intimacy prior to operations
- Activities included sharing beds, participating in sexually suggestive scenarios, and other conduct framed as necessary for operational realism
- Participants were allegedly discouraged from questioning these practices
The filing further alleges that non-disclosure agreements were used to prevent disclosure of these activities.
Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
The complaint asserts that:
- Tim Ballard engaged in sexualized conduct with female operatives under the pretense of operational necessity
- Matthew Cooper allegedly engaged in sexual contact with the plaintiff under similar circumstances
These actions are characterized in the complaint as coercive and based on misrepresentation of their purpose.
Operational Practices and Misrepresentation
The filing alleges that:
- Operations were publicly portrayed as high-risk rescue missions
- In practice, many activities involved travel to clubs, resorts, and other venues with limited connection to trafficking interdiction
- Some missions were described as lacking clear objectives
The complaint also claims that:
- Wealthy participants were allowed to join operations as part of “experience”-based trips
- These activities were used for fundraising and public image building
Use of Psychic Guidance
The complaint alleges that operational decisions were, at times, influenced by information from a psychic who claimed to provide guidance on mission locations and outcomes.
Plaintiff’s Alleged Experience
According to the complaint:
- The plaintiff, a former Marine and licensed clinical social worker, was recruited to participate in operations
- She was required to engage in preparatory activities, including visits to strip clubs, as part of evaluation for operations
- She participated in a mission to the British Virgin Islands described as lacking clear operational purpose
The filing alleges that:
- The trip involved recreational activities, including travel, nightlife, and social events
- The plaintiff observed behavior she characterized as inconsistent with anti-trafficking work
Training Incident and Injury
The complaint states that:
- During a training session in Utah, the plaintiff was injured during an exercise involving untrained participants
- She suffered a severe orbital fracture and ongoing medical complications
- It is alleged that no emergency services were contacted at the time
The injury forms part of the negligence and premises liability claims.
Internal Awareness
The complaint alleges that:
- Leadership within OUR was aware of concerns regarding Ballard’s behavior
- Certain individuals acknowledged issues but continued operations
Legal Claims
The complaint includes causes of action for:
- Sexual assault and battery (against Matthew Cooper)
- Conspiracy to commit battery (against Ballard, OUR, and Cooper)
- Fraud
- Negligence
- Premises liability
- Piercing the corporate veil
The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, and other relief.
Conclusion
The Righter complaint presents a detailed account of alleged misconduct involving operational practices, personal conduct, and organizational structure within entities connected to Tim Ballard. The claims include allegations of coercive behavior, misrepresentation of anti-trafficking efforts, and unsafe training conditions.
All allegations are part of a civil filing and have not been adjudicated in court.
