Here's why the Mormon Church distanced itself from anti-trafficking activist Tim Ballard

In July, Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) founder Tim Ballard left his position as the anti-sex trafficking group's CEO following allegations of sexual misconduct.

Now, according to Religion New Service reporter Jana Riess, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (or Mormon Church) is now distancing himself from Ballard.

During a weekend visit to Boston, Ballard denied that the LDS is doing that — telling supporters, "I don't believe the Church did this. I really don't."

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Riess, however, reports that "as the story unfolded, we got a glimpse of why the Church may have wanted to distance itself from Ballard."

"According to reports in Vice.com," Riess explains, "Ballard has been accused of sexual misconduct with at least seven different women."

Anna Merlen and Tim Marchman of Vice reported, "Sources familiar with the situation said that the self-styled anti-slavery activist, who appears to be preparing for a Senate run, invited women to act as his 'wife' on undercover overseas missions ostensibly aimed at rescuing victims of sex trafficking. He would then allegedly coerce those women into sharing a bed or showering together, claiming that it was necessary to fool traffickers."

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Read Religion News Service's full report at this link and Vice's article here.