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Long, church respond to allegations against New Birth pastor

A week after Bishop Eddie Long denied allegations that he coerced former members of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church into sexual relationships, the church admitted that Long took them on trips but could not “confirm or deny” that Long had intimate relationships with his accusers, according to reports.

The Lithonia church, represented by the law firm Drew Eckl Farnham, filed its response Nov. 7 in DeKalb County State Court.

The LongFellows Youth Academy also filed responses on Nov. 7. LongFellows is the church’s mentoring program for male youth ages 13 to 18. LongFellows is named in three of the four lawsuits against Long.

In Long’s response last week, he admitted providing “opportunities for travel, education and personal growth” to many members of the New Birth congregation. However, he denied having sexual relationships with any of the four men. He also denied using money from New Birth or LongFellows Academy to “entice” the accusers with clothes, jewelry and electronics.

Each of Long’s responses, filed last week by attorney Craig Gillen, stated in the introduction, “The Plaintiff’s claims of sexual misconduct are not true.”

The church, as well as Long, acknowledged that the pastor would sometimes share a hotel room on trips with members of the congregation.

“The church understands that Bishop Long often shared hotel rooms with members of the congregation while traveling,” New Birth’s response stated according to reports.

Anthony Flagg, Jamal Parris, Maurice Robinson and Spencer LeGrande each filed separate lawsuits in September. Each claimed that Long lured them into sexual relationships with money, employment, gifts and lavish trips to New York, Las Vegas and Africa, among others places.

All four men are represented by Atlanta attorney B.J. Bernstein. A spokeswoman at The Bernstein Firm said that Bernstein had no comment on the responses by Long or New Birth.

 


Comments (5)

Said this on 11/15/10 At 03:20 pm
Please read the article: "Long Scandal Presents Great Opportunity for African-American Church to Talk About Sex and Sexuality" in N-convenient Truth. www.nconvenientt.com. It is really eye-opening!!
Keith Lynch
Said this on 11/15/10 At 03:15 pm
I cannot understand how the church can rally around Eddie Long when it has three no four young members whom may have been abused by the leader of their church. Molesters usually use their postion of power to pursue their victims into doing something they do not wish to do. FOR-SHAME on Newbirth Church and it’s members.
MM
Said this on 11/14/10 At 08:59 pm
"The devil is targeting the generals"?! Seriously? Could it possibly be that "the man of God" isn't really? Consider it. I agree that New Birth should be in our prayers; however, I reject the notion that Eddie Long is without fault in THESE cases. If it were only one young man, then maybe that one person is lying, but four?! Come on, don't be blinded!
KK
Said this on 11/14/10 At 03:13 pm
This is the time that the entire Christian family across the globe to commit to prayers and rally round Newbirth Church. As a member of the body of Christ, what affects one afftects all. The devil is targetting the generals of God in order to bring the gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ into disrepute. This is a trying time for Newbirth Church and they will prevail. The anointed man of God will triumph as sure as God is on the throne. We should pray for Strength and comfort and God's grace to abound. God will confound the adversaries and bring them to shame
Denise Gums
Said this on 11/10/10 At 04:08 pm
WOW, i believe this hanging heavy over the head of African American Chrisitans and we really need to pray. As an African American Catholic, until the truth came out in many of these instances we were not free.

It is critical that justice be done and the Truth persevere. I willpray for New Birth and the entire Christian community. The innocence and protection of children is paramount in our ministry and is critical to the future of the church. It was not until the Catholic Church confronted this head-on and began investigations worldwide that change came.

May God keep you all....during this difficult time..it is equally difficult to speak Truth to power.

Denise
Diocese of Oakland
St. Patricks

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