Utah lawmakers to audit AG over relationship with 'Sound of Freedom' subject

A bipartisan committee of Utah state legislators has unanimously voted to launch an audit of Republican Attorney General Sean Reyes' office as part of an investigation into his relationship with Tim Ballard.

Utah's Legislative Audit Subcommittee — which is made up entirely of senior legislative leaders — approved the audit of Reyes on Tuesday. That vote came in the wake of a report earlier this month in which Reyes was accused of witness intimidation in the ongoing civil case against Ballard, his longtime friend accused of grooming, sexual misconduct, spiritual manipulation, and sexual harassment. Ballard is the protagonist of the 2023 box office hit film "Sound of Freedom," which is based on his real-life experience as founder of the anti-human trafficking organization Operation Underground Railroad.

"We have been concerned about the governance and oversight of the AG’s Office, well before any allegations came to light raising suspicion into the relationship of the AG with Tim Ballard (Ballard), Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), and the production of the Sound of Freedom (SOF) movie," lawmakers' letter to Fox 13 read. "Given the important role that the AG plays in upholding the constitutions of the United States and the State of Utah, enforcing the law, and protecting the interests of the State of Utah and its people, environment, and resources we believe that a Legislative Audit is warranted."

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Ballard has been sued by five women, who accused him of engaging in a tactic known as the "couples' ruse" in which he and other women pretended to be a couple while on sting operations to catch pedophiles. Plaintiffs argued that Ballard prompted them to engage in "tantric yoga, couples massages with escorts, and lap dancing" as part of the "couples' ruse." AG Reyes was reportedly present at several of Ballard's trysts, and allegedly gave his blessing to the "couples' ruse" as "a legitimate law enforcement tactic."

As part of the audit, the committee announced it will investigate AG Reyes' judgment in making legal and administrative decisions, his office's travel policies, what state resources were spent in support of Ballard's organization, and the "culture" of the office. In a statement, Reyes' office responded that it "welcomes" the audit.

"We are confident [lawmakers] will see what we already know: the Office of the Utah AGO does great work," the statement read. "We are proud of our personnel, leadership, and the cases we file to protect the people of Utah."

READ MORE: Utah AG says sexual assault allegations against anti-trafficking ally 'need to be taken seriously'