One of the most popular black pastors in the U.S., Bishop Eddie L. Long, has been accused of repeatedly coercing three young men into having sex with him.
Maurice Robinson, 20 years, Anthony Flagg, 21, and Jamal Parris, 23, filed three lawsuits in Dekalb County this week, against Bishop Long, pastor of the 25,000-member megachurch New Birth Missionary Baptist in Atlanta, the New York Times reports.
An outspoken critic of gays and homosexuals, the lawsuits claim that Bishop Long “used his authority” over the men to “ultimately bring them to a point of engaging in a sexual relationship.”
New York Times: Lawyers for the two men painted a picture of widespread corruption and sexual misconduct. They said Bishop Long had provided the men with free hotel stays in more than a dozen cities around the country (checking them into rooms under the alias “Dick Tracy”) and had given them gifts, including a Mustang. They said he had introduced them to celebrities like the producer Tyler Perry and the actor Chris Tucker.
A lawyer for the men, Brenda Joy Bernstein, said officials at the church had known that the sexual acts were occurring but covered up for Bishop Long. “They would do everything to protect the most powerful church in the Southeast,” she said.
Bishop Long, who denied the allegations and canceled an appearance on the Tom Joyner show on Thursday, said through a spokesperson he will respond to the charges on Sunday.
