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.
mlaplante@sltrib.com
