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It took quite a while to get there, but Bishop Eddie Long has finally responded to the allegations of sexual assault against him. The pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church put out a legal statement regarding the four young men who claim he coerced them into sexual relationships while simultaneously serving as their mentor.
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Long has continued to appear in church each Sunday while stating publicly that he is going to fight the charges. In the legal documents, he states clearly that the "claims of sexual misconduct are not true."
The plaintiff's attorney, B.J. Bernstein, has admitted that she doesn't have much physical evidence to support the allegations of her clients, but she says that she will subpoena records to show that Long and the young men traveled around the world together. She has also produced pictures that Long took and sent to the young men, in addition to making her court filings available to the public.
Long filed four separate documents, as long as 30 pages each. In the documents, he explains that many of the young men called him "daddy" and "granddaddy." He also admitted to sharing a room with some of the church members and often hugging his parishioners. He also said that he gave gifts to church members and often helped them to pay the rent.
Authorities in Georgia have chosen not to investigate the case against Long primarily because the age of consent is 16. If Long was engaged in sexual activity with the men after they turned 16 years old, then he can't be prosecuted for having sex with a minor. His greatest problems at this point are the appearance of serious hypocrisy, given that he has been an outspoken opponent of gay marriage. He is also a married father of four.
Another hurdle for Long is whether he used church funds to persuade the young men to sleep with him. If that's the case, then there could be penalties related to the use of nonprofit money for purposes that lie outside those allowed by the federal government. There is also the financial challenge of paying any settlements in the suit.
As the Bishop Eddie Long scandal goes on and on, I can't help but wonder whether the plaintiff's attorney is going to be able to produce more evidence than a couple of pictures and the words of her clients. While most of us might think there's something wrong here, the truth is that you can't destroy a man's life, family and career with mere speculation.
I'm in touch with the publicist for the plaintiff's attorney, so I'll let you know if I hear anything else. Until then, we should wait to see the evidence. If the case is settled out of court with no public disclosure, then such a move would serve to discredit both Bishop Eddie Long as well as his accusers. Either way, New Birth members deserve to find out the truth.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (20)
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By: Nicia on 11/02/2010 12:27PM
So he has admitted to everything except the sexual relationship. Which is the only thing that can't be proven. hmmmm??? So him paying rent and buying cars and taking trips with these men is what he meant by "I am not a perfect man". If this is one of the rocks he's gonna throw I think he missed. So sad.
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By: tanzyp on 11/02/2010 1:42PM
Nicia, you are right on! What was he referring to when he made that statement? It appears from the article that Long is "admitting" to helping church members in general, implying that his charitable actions were not uncommon or limited to young men....hummm. O.k.
While the young men may or may not have DNA evidence (we really don't know do we?) or photos or letters (again we don't know), there is plenty of evidence from 1. trips with young men alone 2. jewelry that they likely still have in their possession 3. witnesses to sleep overs (in country and out) 4. text messages and voice mails.
I believe that the attorney for the victims will not show her hand, that there is plenty of supporting evidence otherwise, why would she take the case?
Remember that "if" there were sexual relations, most folks undress. As with the Michael Jackson case, the victim described in detail his P...s. The Sheriffs department forced him to disrobe and they photographed the "weapon!" So, If it is true that the young men saw something beneath the spandex, believe me, they will provide identifying information (moles, birthmarks, etc).
This case doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that something dirty is in the milk!
Also Dr. Watkins, I disagree with you that a settlement suggests anything negative about the boys. It might mean that there is damaging evidence against Long...evidence once made public is likely to shock many and cause even more damage. Michael Jackson, R. Kelly and others made huge settlements that I believe was paid out a little at a time and is forfited if the victims disclose any information regarding the case. Stay tuned, we may see the same thing here.
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By: Pink on 11/02/2010 1:56PM
People, people, people..If Eddie Long is guilty of sexual abuse (and if is the operative word here) do u really think he's going to admit that in a public, or court statement??
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By: tanzyp on 11/02/2010 5:33PM
You're right, he will never come forward and admit to sexual contact with a child. If it were a woman, he could pull a Jimmie Swaggart, "I sinned!"...kind of speech and the congregation, who are not without sin, would have forgiven him.
But this isn't the typical infidelity, and the shame associated with an adult/child act will keep the truth from coming out of Long's lips! There will be an attempt to shush the boys up, to pay a settlement requiring no communications regarding the matter, and life will go on!
Maybe the congregation or church leadership will quietly move him out of the leadsship position that he now holds to save face, but my guess is that once they look at all of the facts, some type of action on the part of the church will take place.
There might be the my word against theirs thing going on but you can't dispute or erase telephone call records; text messages, photographs, voice mails, etc. The young men aren't stupid, at least one of them has information that might be harmful to pastors image were it to be released to the public.
Long and company can still be sued in Civil court if the state does not take up the charges. The information or discovery will take place unless there is a financial settelment.
Who knows, the kids might want their day in court, they might not want financial support. They may opt for clearing their name and exposing abuse in the church! It's not always about money!
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By: bestausweh on 11/02/2010 6:08PM
The age of consent is 16?!! is the excuse to do no investigation? Whatever the case these victims were still minors so the parents can still order an investigation for this form of child abuse. This is also an abuse of power or authority over someone vulnerable (child, less than 18,less than drinking age, less than age to go off to war, etc. This age of consent thing only prospers pedophiles.
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By: ADMR on 11/02/2010 10:01PM
Da Nile Is A River In Egypt - Lynch This N***** Snake...
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By: sylvan on 11/03/2010 12:18AM
I over herd a pastor on sunday saying that they was a check on christins and none christins in 1998 their were more christins and lest churches. their did the same thing in 2008 and their were more churches but the christins decrease, and he said people become more unGodly, but i say the pastors, bishop, prechers, reverends become very greedie, crooks,and preching fouls doctrine..
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By: mscaribbeanma on 11/03/2010 12:26AM
what in the hell are you saying.
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By: Bigberk on 11/03/2010 8:39AM
There are several shames here that make statements about our society and the times we live in.
We all saw pictures that in my opinion although they show vanity did not show sexual impropriety. Second, we chose to believe the allegations of those who's moral integrity to say the least is questionable. Third, are we really that desperate to hang and convict this pastor because of his admittance of benevolence to young men of questionable character?. I seem to recall a man named Jesus who also was accussed of his acts of kindness towards people of reputation by the pharisees (Hypocrites). If by some chance Bishop Long is guilty (not that I believe he is) the bible commands the righteous to restore the fallen in love, by the way that includes these young men if they've ever known the Lord in the pardon of sins. To the rest your opinions and hateful judgements are like your father "the accuser of the brethren" they really don't matter.
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By: Charla on 11/09/2010 9:03AM
As you and others take the position of defending Long until he is proven guilty, I and others take the position of defending the boys until proven guilty. There is no difference. Perhaps the boy’s actions are questionable, but Pastor Long's are as well.
Woe unto those who lead my sheep astray, suffer not the little children to come to me, the love of money in the ROOT of all evil, beware of false profits. We can quote scripture to support either side all day. What I say to those who support the pastor, who didn't say he didn't do it, at least remain neutral until we find out more. I feel sorry for some of these people's children. "Mommy Pastor, fill in the blank, has been touching my private", "Awe gon way from here boy and play. Our pastor is a good man. We worship in a fine church. And didn't he buy you a bike and me this house. You betta sit down somewhere."
Confrontation brings about growth. This has got to be talked about and whether he did it or not we as believers have the right and the obligation to talk about it as much as we want praying for the boys and Mr. Long. If he did this he needs help. I have reason to believe that he may have been molested himself. This is a real problem. And getting mad at the people who believe or want believe that Long did this in irrelevant. Not important. God did not tell us not to speak about such things. I question any person who thinks keeping quiet and not having dialogue about this is helpful. Whatcha hidin? What you want covered? What's done in the dark is going to be on the 11 clock news. That's life and God wants every manner of evil exposed so that we are sober and alert and not ignorant. May God be with us all who stand for finding out the truth even if the Pastor we love is not who we thought he was. Amen
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