Bishop Eddie Long of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, in Lithonia, Ga., Jan. 18, 2007
(CBS/WGCL) DEKALB COUNTY. Ga. - Last September, megachurch preacher Bishop Eddie Long stood before his congregation at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church a week after gay sex allegations surfaced between him and four teenage boys, and he told members he was going to fight the allegations.
But Long chose not to fight in court. Instead he reached a settlement and paid off the four young men who accused him of using his power to influence them into sexual relationships with him, reports.
"You can interpret that any way you want, but usually people do not settle cases unless there is some reason to do so," said former DeKalb County Prosecutor J. Tom Morgan.
"They had to reach a settlement if they did not want any statement by the Bishop on record," said Morgan.
Former New Birth members Spencer LeGrande, Anthony Flagg, Maurice Robinson and Jamal Parris filed civil lawsuits against Long last September.
Morgan said their silence suggests part of the agreement is that no one talks about it.
New Birth member Elder Dandridge said she's glad the case is over. She said her pastor is innocent.
"We're very excited, very elated about what's taken place. To God be the glory," said Dandridge.
Because Long settled out of court, some DeKalb County residents question his innocence..
"It says that he's hiding the truth," said Robyn Senior.
And just how much did Long pay to settle the case?
"Nobody knows what the numbers are. I would be sure it's in the millions," said Morgan.
Morgan estimated Long paid millions because that's what he said a Catholic church paid victims in a similar case that he prosecuted.
Ecclesiasticus 1:30- Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul, and so God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but thy heart is full of deceit.
Isa 1:4- Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
Ecclesiastes 12:14- For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil.
Jer 23:23- [Am] I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
Jer 23:24- Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
Ecclesiastes 12:14- For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil.
Jer 23:23- [Am] I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
Jer 23:24- Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
Eddie Long is a disgrace, an utter embarrassment. He represents the epitome of "uncle tomism". For gain and the most minuscule acceptance of white people on a global scale, he's willing to defile the Most High's name in vain. Sadly, there aren't enough vigilant soldiers out there that see the desperate need for real leaders in the black, hispanic and native american community (the work is plenty but the laborers are few). Because of gain and self interest our politicians or so called leaders cower under the pressure of gain and recognition rather then SPEAK OUT ON THIS FUCKING MONSTROSITY!.. HE RAPED THOSE young men from childhood to young adulthood, ruined their lives. And, yet his congregation is full of the BLIND AND BLAMELESS.. His wicked ways will not go unpunished and those who supported him whether it be financially or spiritually, you will also reap the reward of his crime.
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