From The Salt Lake Tribune, 2/10/05:

Radio personality accused of groping women

By Matthew D. LaPlante
The Salt Lake Tribune

A Republican leader and local radio personality was in jail Wednesday,
accused of groping several women during "auditions" at his Salt Lake
City media production company, according to charges filed Tuesday.
=======================

From The Salt Lake Tribune, 2/10/05:

Radio personality accused of groping women

By Matthew D. LaPlante
The Salt Lake Tribune

A Republican leader and local radio personality was in jail Wednesday,
accused of groping several women during "auditions" at his Salt Lake
City media production company, according to charges filed Tuesday.

The allegations against E. Ozwald Balfour mirror charges made against
him in 1997, when he was charged with groping a woman who answered a
newspaper advertisement seeking models for a photo shoot.

Charges in that case were ultimately dismissed, according to court
records.

Now police say they have evidence of at least three similar assaults -
and are investigating at least 12 additional allegations.

Salt Lake City police spokesman Dwayne Baird said his department has
also come upon evidence suggesting Balfour may have defrauded other
clients who came to him for training in public relations, modeling and
acting.

Balfour is the chairman of the Utah Republican Black Assembly and host
of "Talk of the Town," a weekly current affairs radio show that airs
on K-Talk Radio, 630 AM.

The station's general manager said Wednesday that Balfour's show has
been pulled off the air.

"This is everybody's worst nightmare come true," said K-Talk's general
manager, Jim Sumpter.

Utah Republican Party Chairman Joe Cannon called the charges "sad."

"It's sad for everybody," Cannon said.

"For the women and for everyone else. Just odd and sad."

According to the charges, filed in 3rd District Court, Balfour groped
three women after separately inviting them to his studio, known as
International Media Services, on Jan. 21.

In each case, the women allegedly were told they were applying for
some form of employment with or through Balfour's business.

Police say some victims contacted Balfour after answering
advertisements in local newspapers.

The Salt Lake Tribune last ran a "help wanted" advertisement from
Balfour on Jan. 6.

He also has placed classified ads seeking singers and dancers.

According to the charges, one woman told police she was approached by
Balfour as she was shopping at a store near his studio at 340 W.
Whitney Ave. (1410 South) in Salt Lake City.

Balfour, who is married with six children, allegedly asked the woman
if she would be interested in appearing in a children's movie.

When she arrived at his office, he grabbed her by the hip and
attempted to pull her shirt off, according to the charges.

Balfour helped found the Utah Republican Black Assembly in 2003.

Though the group was not officially recognized by the party for much
of that year, it gained status after another prominent Republican,
Salt Lake County Sheriff Aaron Kennard, voiced his support.

Balfour's company, which on its Web site claims to be "operated by a
worldwide network of industry professionals," also recruited children
through its Youth Media and Entertainment Network.

Police have not said whether any of the allegations currently under
investigation involve children.

______________________________________________________

Ah yes. The Republican "Moral Values" Party strikes again.

Harry

From The Salt Lake Tribune, 2/10/05:
http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?jid=c2c28263f79f6c92&cat=03c6da7daadf864b

Radio personality accused of groping women

______________________________________________________

Ah yes. The Republican "Moral Values" Party strikes again.

Harry

From The Salt Lake Tribune, 2/10/05:
http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?jid=c2c28263f79f6c92&cat=03c6da7daadf864b

Radio personality accused of groping women

By Matthew D. LaPlante
The Salt Lake Tribune

A Republican leader and local radio personality was in jail Wednesday,
accused of groping several women during "auditions" at his Salt Lake
City media production company, according to charges filed Tuesday.

The allegations against E. Ozwald Balfour mirror charges made against
him in 1997, when he was charged with groping a woman who answered a
newspaper advertisement seeking models for a photo shoot.

Charges in that case were ultimately dismissed, according to court
records.

Now police say they have evidence of at least three similar assaults -
and are investigating at least 12 additional allegations.

Salt Lake City police spokesman Dwayne Baird said his department has
also come upon evidence suggesting Balfour may have defrauded other
clients who came to him for training in public relations, modeling and
acting.

Balfour is the chairman of the Utah Republican Black Assembly and host
of "Talk of the Town," a weekly current affairs radio show that airs
on K-Talk Radio, 630 AM.

The station's general manager said Wednesday that Balfour's show has
been pulled off the air.

"This is everybody's worst nightmare come true," said K-Talk's general
manager, Jim Sumpter.

Utah Republican Party Chairman Joe Cannon called the charges "sad."

"It's sad for everybody," Cannon said.

"For the women and for everyone else. Just odd and sad."

According to the charges, filed in 3rd District Court, Balfour groped
three women after separately inviting them to his studio, known as
International Media Services, on Jan. 21.

In each case, the women allegedly were told they were applying for
some form of employment with or through Balfour's business.

Police say some victims contacted Balfour after answering
advertisements in local newspapers.

The Salt Lake Tribune last ran a "help wanted" advertisement from
Balfour on Jan. 6.

He also has placed classified ads seeking singers and dancers.

According to the charges, one woman told police she was approached by
Balfour as she was shopping at a store near his studio at 340 W.
Whitney Ave. (1410 South) in Salt Lake City.

Balfour, who is married with six children, allegedly asked the woman
if she would be interested in appearing in a children's movie.

When she arrived at his office, he grabbed her by the hip and
attempted to pull her shirt off, according to the charges.

Balfour helped found the Utah Republican Black Assembly in 2003.

Though the group was not officially recognized by the party for much
of that year, it gained status after another prominent Republican,
Salt Lake County Sheriff Aaron Kennard, voiced his support.

Balfour's company, which on its Web site claims to be "operated by a
worldwide network of industry professionals," also recruited children
through its Youth Media and Entertainment Network.

Police have not said whether any of the allegations currently under
investigation involve children.

______________________________________________________

Ah yes. The Republican "Moral Values" Party strikes again.

Harry