Former Miss Utah, other women accuse human trafficking attorney of harassment, abuse: reports

• Tim Ballard, whose story was dramatized in Sound of Freedomhas been accused of sexual abuse by six women, including former Miss Utah Amy Morgan Davis
• Davis alleged that Ballard made sexual advances toward her, including touching her body with his hands
• Ballard continues to deny any wrongdoing

Tim Ballard, the real subject behind the 2023 blockbuster Sound of Freedomhas been sued by six women who accuse him of sexually assaulting them.

Ballard founded the nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad, which works to combat child sex trafficking. After the release of the $184 million independent film, he stepped down after initial allegations of misconduct were made.

Several alleged victims of Ballard spoke to The New York Times about their lawsuits and accusations, including former Miss Utah Amy Morgan Davis.

Representatives for Miss Utah declined to comment to PEOPLE on the matter.

At the time of the alleged attack, Davis was working as a makeup artist for Ballard. She alleges he manipulated her desire to help him save children. He allegedly used this tactic to attack his victims after recruiting them to pose as his romantic partners to help save the children.

Davis alleged in the lawsuit that Ballard repeatedly asked her to prove the two had a “connection” and then made sexual advances toward her, including touching her body with his hands, the publication said.

“It’s hard to wrap your head around that because in your head you really want him to be the hero,” she told the Times.

Like Davis, many women accused Ballard in lawsuits and interviews of talking graphically about sexual situations they might encounter after attracting a woman’s interest in helping, the Times.

The publication noted that he claimed that women who were uncomfortable with the fake romance in his office, hotel room or car may have had their every move monitored by sex traffickers.

Mary Hall claimed that The New York Times and court documents say Ballard groped her, kissed her stomach and pulled her waistband in his office before being interrupted by a supervisor. After sharing her concerns with others in the organization, she claims she was not invited on the mission.

Another woman, Celeste Borys, has sued Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad, alleging assault, sexual abuse and intentional emotional distress, among other allegations. Times reported.

Borys was already working at the organization when he told her he wanted to expand her role, the Times reported. He is said to have invited her on a get-to-know-you mission to Ecuador in 2022 and surprised her with a couples massage in a hotel room.

She told the Times that Ballard got naked and lay down on the bed after two girls, who Borys said looked underage, entered the room. Instead of helping the girls, Ballard started talking about masturbation, she said in her lawsuit.

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One of the girls allegedly offered to demonstrate on Borys. Ballard then rolled the woman onto her back and began removing her shorts, according to the lawsuit, as reported by the New York TimesBorys closed her eyes, but reportedly heard him say that he had never seen what had happened so close up and penetrated her with his finger.

After Borys fled to the bathroom, Ballard eventually entered and told her he had gotten useful information from the girls, saying, “We’re going to save so many kids,” according to the Times.

Ballard previously denied any wrongdoing in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

“These are baseless fabrications designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end human trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children,” Ballard said.

Ballard declined to comment to the Timeswhile attorney Mark Eisenhut said his client did not harass or physically assault any of the women he worked with, and that he had no inappropriate contact with sex workers.

“He has never been charged with a crime and every court that has heard a complaint against the Ballards to date has ruled in their favor,” Eisenhut said, according to the publication.

While some allegations against Ballard have been dismissed, six claims of sexual abuse are reportedly pending.

The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office said it was aware of “ongoing criminal investigations into Tim Ballard.”

PEOPLE has reached out to Davis, Eisenhut, Operation Underground Railroad and the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office for comment, but they did not immediately respond.