Bishop Eddie Long Denies Sexual Abuse as Plaintiffs' Lawyer Promises More Evidence

Several Church Members Standing in Support of Eddie Long Despite Dual Lawsuits

By STEVE OSUNSAMI and SARAH NETTER
Sept. 22, 2010

The Atlanta mega church bishop now under fire in a sexual abuse scandal denies he ever had sex with two teenage boys.



The Atlanta mega church bishop now under fire in a sexual abuse scandal denies he ever had sex with two teenage boys.

Although the allegations against New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Bishop Eddie Long appear damning, some church members refuse to believe they could be true.

But B.J. Bernstein, the lawyer for Maurice Robinson and Anthony Flagg, has promised that she has photos, texts and e-mails that show a relationship between her clients and the bishop.

According to separate lawsuits filed by Robinson and Flagg in DeKalb County, Long conducted what they called private spiritual ceremonies in which he "coerced certain young male members and employees" into sexual acts and relationships.

Now in their 20s, the men claim in their lawsuits that they were teenagers when Long showered them with "cars, clothes, jewelry and electronics," flew them across the world in private jets and booked them into luxury hotels, all the while pushing them into a sexual relationship.

"The allegations are that sexual things started to happen at 17 and 18 years old," Bernstein said.

Even though 17 is above the age of consent in Georgia, Robinson and Flagg claim that the bishop violated his "fiduciary duty as [their] spiritual advisor."

Long's attorney, Craig Gillen, countered the men's claims, writing in a statement that "Bishop Eddie Long adamantly denies the allegations.

"It's unfortunate the two young men have chosen to take this course of action," the statement continued, adding that Long's legal team is reviewing the charges and plans to respond.

Long, who once marched the streets of Atlanta to protest same-sex marriage, is considered a major figure in the black church. His New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has approximately 25,000 members, and sits on 240 acres in Lithonia, Ga. It is the same church that hosted Coretta Scott King's funeral in 2006.

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