Episode 248: From the Cavortex Into the BallardZone
Sep 27, 2023
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Jim Caviezel, known for playing Jesus in The Passion of the Christ, is a fan of QAnon. He starred in the child trafficking summer blockbuster, which led to the downfall of Tim Ballard, the head of Operation Underground Railroad. The podcast covers Ballard's sexual misconduct allegations and denouncement by the Mormon Church. Vice journalists Anna Merlan and Tim Marchman provide insights on the situation. They also explore conspiracy theories, the controversy surrounding Ballard's actions, and the impact of the anti-vaccine movement. The podcast delves into topics like psychic mediums and sexual misconduct within police vice squads.
Tim Ballard, the founder of Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), has been accused of sexual misconduct involving multiple women.
One aspect of the allegations is the use of a 'couples ruse' during undercover operations, where women are required to pretend to be Ballard's wife.
Tim Ballard's ousting from OUR and the Mormon Church's denouncement of him have caused public backlash and raised questions about his credibility and ethics.
Controversial practices within Operation Underground Railroad, such as relying on psychic powers and incidents of inappropriate behavior, have raised concerns about the organization's practices and accountability.
Deep dives
Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
Tim Ballard, the founder of Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), has been accused of sexual misconduct involving multiple women. Sources indicate that the alleged misconduct occurred during missions where women were tasked with playing Ballard's wife. These allegations have caused shock and raised questions about his behavior and the effectiveness of his undercover operations.
The "Couples Ruse"
One aspect of the allegations is the use of a "couples ruse" during undercover operations. According to sources, Ballard reportedly insisted that women accompanying him on missions pretend to be his wife, sharing beds and showers with him to maintain the charade. This approach has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism, with experts questioning its necessity and effectiveness.
Additional Accusations and Public Backlash
While the internal investigation focused on seven women, there are indications that the number of women subjected to alleged misconduct may be higher. News of Ballard's ousting due to undisclosed reasons had been circulating in the Utah philanthropic community before being publicly revealed by Vice News. The accusations have sparked public backlash and even led to the Mormon Church denouncing Ballard, a devout member.
Church Business Dealings and Serious Concerns
Investigative files have revealed evidence of business dealings between Ballard and President M. Russell Ballard, a high-ranking leader in the Mormon Church. This has raised serious concerns and questions about the potential conflicts of interest and ethical implications of their relationship. It remains to be seen how this revelation will impact Ballard's standing within the Church and the wider community.
Controversies surrounding Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad
A recent podcast episode highlights controversies and allegations surrounding Tim Ballard, the founder of Operation Underground Railroad (OUR). The episode mentions an associate of Ballard who claimed to have messages suggesting that Ballard had used the name of a prominent figure in the LDS Church without authorization to build his personal brand. Additionally, the podcast explores allegations of sexual misconduct made against Ballard by multiple women. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a strong statement condemning Ballard's actions and clarifying that they never authorized the use of the Church's name for Ballard's personal or financial interest. These controversies raise concerns about the credibility and ethics of OUR and underscore the need for thorough investigations.
Unorthodox Methods and Controversial Figures Involved in OUR
The podcast also delves into several controversial aspects of OUR's operations. It reveals that the organization relied on the supposed psychic powers of a woman named Janet Russin to find missing children. Russin claimed to communicate with dead figures from Mormon history and provide psychic visions to guide OUR's search efforts. Furthermore, the podcast highlights an incident involving an executive producer of a film produced by OUR, who allegedly touched the naked breasts of an underage trafficking victim in a sex club during an operation in Mexico. While the organization acknowledged the inappropriate behavior, they emphasized that it was not representative of their standard operating procedure and that the executive producer was no longer associated with them. These incidents raise questions about the practices and accountability of OUR during their missions.
Implications for Tim Ballard's Political Aspirations
The controversies surrounding Tim Ballard and OUR have implications for his political aspirations, as he is reportedly considering a Senate run. The podcast highlights the termination of Ballard by OUR and the strong statement issued by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, both distancing themselves from him. The allegations of sexual misconduct made against Ballard, along with the questionable practices and controversies associated with OUR, raise concerns about his suitability for public office. Additionally, the podcast raises questions about the involvement and support of Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, who was previously believed to be backing Ballard's political ambitions. As more information surfaces and allegations persist, it remains to be seen how these controversies will impact Ballard's political future.
Jim Caviezel is the moist-eyed actor who played Jesus in The Passion of the Christ — and has since continued to do so in his own headcanon. He’s also a fan of QAnon, which is why we’ve covered him in the past: Episode 143, Enter the Cavortex, in which we found out how much of a nightmare he is on film sets, and Episode 238, Sound of Freedom, in which we explored his latest child trafficking summer blockbuster. The movie saw him play Tim Ballard, the head of tastelessly-named and questionably-run anti-child-trafficking non-profit Operation Underground Railroad ( OUR). But since the film was released — and promptly vaulted to the center of the culture wars — Ballard has stepped down from OUR, been accused of sexual misconduct, and was even denounced by the Mormon Church. We cover all of that in this episode with our guests: Vice journalists Anna Merlan and Tim Marchman, who’ve been covering Ballard and his organization for a while now.
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QAA's Website: https://qanonanonymous.com
Music by Pontus Berghe. Editing by Corey Klotz.
REFERENCES
Recent Reporting on Operation Underground Railroad by Anna Merlan and Tim Marchman
Mormon Church Denounces Tim Ballard’s “Morally Unacceptable” Activities
https://www.vice.com/en/article/bvjypz/mormon-church-denounces-tim-ballards-morally-unacceptable-activities
Tim Ballard’s Departure From Operation Underground Railroad Followed Sexual Misconduct Investigation
https://www.vice.com/en/article/pkaqvn/tim-ballards-departure-from-operation-underground-railroad-followed-sexual-misconduct-investigation
‘Sound of Freedom’ Producer Felt the Naked Breasts of Apparently Underage Trafficking Victim
https://www.vice.com/en/article/z3mq5w/sound-of-freedom-producer-underage-trafficking-victim
Operation Underground Railroad Child-Rescue Missions Were Based on Psychic Intelligence
https://www.vice.com/en/article/m7bpda/operation-underground-railroad-child-rescue-missions-were-based-on-psychic-intelligence
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