The settlement comes eight months after Long told his congregation he would "vigorusly" fight the accusations against him.
Four young men who accused a Georgia megachurch pastor, Bishop Eddie Long, of sexual misconduct have “resolved” their lawsuit.
The news came Thursday from attorneys representing both sides. The settlement of the case quietly ends a legal complaint that ignited scrutiny and media attention to a powerful national religious leader who seemingly had anti-gay attitudes and was homophobic.
Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. However, both sides agree that the civil suits filed against Long, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, would not proceed.
According to the four young men, Long allegedly coerced them into intimate sexual acts including massages, masturbation and oral sex. Allegedly he used gifts such as cars, cash and travel domestically and abroad when they were 17 to coerce the men.
Long had denied the allegations, and federal and state authorities didn't investigate because Georgia's age of consent is 16.
Long, a 58-year-old married father of four, leads a 25,000-member congregation and heads an international televangelist empire. He has also championed traditional family values and has been an outspoken opponent of gay marriage.
Church spokesman Art Franklin issued a statement late Thursday saying: "After a series of discussions, all parties involved have decided to resolve the civil cases out of court. 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."
"As is usually the case when civil lawsuits resolve out of court, we cannot discuss any details regarding the resolution or the resolution process, as they are confidential," Frank said in the statement. "This resolution is the most reasonable road for everyone to travel."
The settlement comes eight months after Long, speaking from the pulpit, vowed to his congregation he’d fight the accusations against him.
Mediation talks began in February and according to news reports, the sessions between Long and his four accusers - Anthony Flagg, Maurice Robinson, Jamal Parris and Spencer LeGrande - were tense.
The news came Thursday from attorneys representing both sides. The settlement of the case quietly ends a legal complaint that ignited scrutiny and media attention to a powerful national religious leader who seemingly had anti-gay attitudes and was homophobic.Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. However, both sides agree that the civil suits filed against Long, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, would not proceed.
According to the four young men, Long allegedly coerced them into intimate sexual acts including massages, masturbation and oral sex. Allegedly he used gifts such as cars, cash and travel domestically and abroad when they were 17 to coerce the men.
Long had denied the allegations, and federal and state authorities didn't investigate because Georgia's age of consent is 16.
Long, a 58-year-old married father of four, leads a 25,000-member congregation and heads an international televangelist empire. He has also championed traditional family values and has been an outspoken opponent of gay marriage.
Church spokesman Art Franklin issued a statement late Thursday saying: "After a series of discussions, all parties involved have decided to resolve the civil cases out of court. 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."
"As is usually the case when civil lawsuits resolve out of court, we cannot discuss any details regarding the resolution or the resolution process, as they are confidential," Frank said in the statement. "This resolution is the most reasonable road for everyone to travel."
The settlement comes eight months after Long, speaking from the pulpit, vowed to his congregation he’d fight the accusations against him.
Mediation talks began in February and according to news reports, the sessions between Long and his four accusers - Anthony Flagg, Maurice Robinson, Jamal Parris and Spencer LeGrande - were tense.
| Source: | (AHN) | Reporter: | Ayinde O. Chase |
| Location: | Atlanta, GA, United States | Published: | May 27, 2011 10:46 am EDT |
| Topics: | Crime, Law And Justice, Trials, Litigation, Religion And Belief, Religious Leader | ||
Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/90049827?Sexual%20misconduct%20lawsuit%20against%20Bishop%20Eddie%20Long%20reaches%20settlement#ixzz1NZAnQbS2
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