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Bishop Eddie Long Settles Sexual Misconduct Suit out of Court
Georgia megachurch preacher Bishop Eddie Long has settled out of court with four young men who accused him of sexual misconduct, Long's spokesman said Thursday.
In a statement posted on the Web site of Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, church officials said, "This decision was made to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry."
"This resolution is the most reasonable road for everyone to travel," the statement said.
BJ Bernstein, attorney for the plaintiffs, was similarly tight-lipped. "The matter has been resolved," read a statement. "Neither attorney Bernstein nor the plaintiffs themselves will be available for interview on this matter, now or in the future."
Back in September, the Associated Press reported on allegations that the pastor "abused his spiritual authority to seduce [teenage boys] with cars, money, clothes, jewelry, international trips and access to celebrities." Later details reported in the Christian Post said that the married father of four "admitted to mentoring the men and sharing rooms with them while on trips, but denied any sexual activity took place."
Read more here.
Tagged as: Bishop Eddie Long, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
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Comments: (121)
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By: Brown Chulo on 5/27/2011 3:42PM
This is going to be a HOTT topic commentary..I'll wait before I post. Let's get it going.
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By: vdog on 5/27/2011 5:27PM
SWEET EDDIE tell the church folks how much your INNOCENCE has cost them you FRAUD.
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By: HoneyKone on 5/27/2011 3:50PM
What happened to "but, this thing... I'm gonna fight!"????
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By: Karen Ringgold on 5/28/2011 9:04AM
The church had to pay for this. He is New Birth,Be careful Church Members of Your Leaders. What Happened to fighting this? What you do in the Dark will soon come to light. How can his Wife stand behind him after all of this.Take off the Wig Bishop Long and be a Real Man
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By: ADMR on 5/27/2011 8:33PM
1 Word - She's Stupid.
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By: NYC on 5/28/2011 10:40AM
The love of MONEY!
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By: R Land on 5/27/2011 4:44PM
...because it was futile to fight. He knew he was wrong, so why put himself, his family, and what's left of his congregation through that muck and mire?
He did the right thing for everyone involved...
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By: James Is An Atlanta Jeweler on 5/27/2011 4:54PM
Regardless of the outcome of this situation "I WILL NEVER VIEW THOSE YOUNG MEN AS VICTIMS" because if this were myself involved in a situation even close to this "I WOULD HAVE REPORTED EDDIE LONG THE VERY FIRST TIME HE INAPPROPRIATELY TOUCHED ME."
In today's society this mess is becoming to be much more common than when I was growing up.
I will not blame these men's parents either, because when you're a certain age you should know what is an appropriate touch or conversation and what is NOT.
It was all about MONEY from the beginning and in any situation such as this it will always be.
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By: Cheryl on 5/27/2011 7:43PM
I'm sorry James. But whether you view them as victims or not, they are victims. This was a man in power, who was abusing that power while playing the "fatherly role". I wish people would in Atlanta would stop the Bishop Long worship. He needs to be completely exposed. I'm sure there were people (adults) in his inner circle that were completely aware of his shenanigans. Stop worhipping the creature and nit the creator.
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By: Greg D. on 5/27/2011 7:53PM
@James Is An Atlanta Jeweler,
I think what your failing to take into account is:
#1. The issue is more of a controversy because the Bishop spoke out with great zeal against homosexuality. As he should. It's a sin just as the other sins. But, the hypocrisy is indefensible.
#2. Allegedly, a huge sticking point in the settlement negotiations was the young men insisting on a public apology in addition to a monetary settlement. They settled for a substantially larger monetary offer with a (private) apology. That doesn't sound like someone who's only interested in money. It sounds like they stood on a "principle" of righteousness". If it was just money, you take the money and run. You wouldn't care about an apology.
#3. It doesn't matter that they were "of age".
You should never use your position of authority to take advantage of anyone. There's the issue of trust that's violated.
#4. He's married. Just because these are gay relationships doesn't mean he's still not cheating on his wife. I think they call that adultery.
Don't loose perspective. This is not about those young men or the money.
This is about Bishop Eddie Long and the position of trust that he apparently violated.
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