Salt Lake City, Utah — A court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Bree Righter against Tim Ballard, the founder of the anti-human trafficking organization Operation Underground Railroad (OUR). Righter had alleged that negligence during a training session at OUR’s Draper gym led to severe injury, specifically a shattered eye socket.
Righter’s legal complaint stated that the injury occurred when she was accidentally struck by a trainee’s knee during a wrestling drill. She claimed this accident caused persistent headaches and compromised her vision. Furthermore, Righter, who served as a former Marine, initiated broader accusations including a conspiracy involving Ballard and another employee related to sexual misconduct. However, Judge Kristine Johnson concluded that Righter’s claims were unsubstantiated by the evidence provided and were legally nullified by a liability waiver she had previously signed.
In her ruling, Johnson clarified that while Righter could refile certain allegations like negligence and premises liability, the main lawsuit, including claims of fraud against Ballard, was irrevocably dismissed with prejudice. This definitive dismissal means Righter is barred from litigating these dismissed claims in the future.
Ballard expressed his relief over the dismissal, criticizing the vagueness of the allegations and highlighting the lack of factual support. He reflected on the broader impact such claims had on the reputation of OUR, emphasizing the distress they caused without proper scrutiny.
In an interesting correlation, Ballard’s wife, Katherine, was also implicated in a separate suit alleging she aided her husband in covering up a supposed sexual assault. This case was similarly dismissed, with the judge advocating for Katherine’s right to free speech in defense of her husband.
Meanwhile, the dismissal has not detered other legal actions against Ballard. Attorneys representing Righter and other women, including Suzette Rasmussen, stated their intention to potentially appeal the decision or request the judge to reconsider. Amidst ongoing legal confrontations, protective orders for sexual violence have been issued to two other women, Kira Lynch and Celeste Borys, who have separately accused Ballard of severe sexual offenses in distinct cases.
OUR, now known as OUR Rescue, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Jennifer Terry, representing the organization, welcomed the court’s recent ruling, asserting it validated the organization’s longstanding position of innocence and countered misleading narratives about its practices.
Despite the legal turmoil surrounding these high-profile cases, the protective orders remain temporarily in force until further review on July 8. This pending hearing could significantly impact the developments in the continuing legal battles involving Ballard and the alleged misconduct linked to his organization’s activities. Such legal scrutiny underscores the complexities and profound implications tied to accusations within notable anti-trafficking efforts.