Two of Eddie Long’s accusers go on camera; Church hires investigator; More men coming forward? [video]
”There’s only one way to God and that’s the truth…. I wasn’t free until I came out with it…. I pray for everyone, especially Bishop. Because he knows the truth.”
Spencer LeGrand, 22, one of the four young men who is accusing Eddie Long of sexual coercion. Long, a preacher and famed televangelist, is accused by the men of using his powerful position to draw them into sexual relationships when they were in their late teens. In exchange for their “covenant marriages,” Long provided them with cash, jewelry, cars, tuition, and trips abroad, sometimes to meet with celebrities. Long says he will fight the allegations, but will not address the specifics.
LeGrand’s lawsuit had the longest list of specific allegations, but his TV news interview was short on specifics. However, another accuser Jamal Parris, was confronted by a camera crew in Colorado, and his words came across as being very credible. Some members of Long’s church have said that Parris’ statement seemed genuine, and others said they had wished Long would have said specifically that he had not engaged in sex with the teens. So far, he has only said that the man being portrayed on TV is not him.
These cases resemble others involving “child predators,” but it seems agreed by all that the teens were over the age of legal consent, and there are no criminal charges pending.
Long’s troubles are of particular interest to people in the gay community because Eddie Long has been an outspoken opponent of gay rights, homosexuality and same-sex marriages. It is hoped by some, if the allegations are true, that Long’s many thousands of devoted followers would learn from his hypocrisy, and also stop judging LGBT people’s lives based on the nefarious proselytizing by their “prophet” and his wrong-headed use of Bible outtakes.
“His house, hotels, his condos, in the church… before and after the service…. I received those pictures. Yeah [he asked for pictures like that]…. The pictures speak for themselves. A man in his underwear, talking, sending pictures in a bathroom. And it ain’t to your wife, it’s to us. They speak for themselves, and you be the judge of that…. All we wanted to do was talk and just say help me deal with the hurt that you caused. And he had no sense of reference, guilt or remorse. So, if you’re not going to deal with us privately, you’re going to have to deal with us publicly.”
More from Jamal Parris‘ Colorado interview in which he says sexual relations occurred with Eddie Long in numerous locations, including the church. He also says money given to the men came from the church’s coffers. Parris says that the four male accusers got together to discuss the matter before going public. And, at the end of this news segment, the Fox 5 iTeam reporter clearly indicates that he has knowledge of others with similar allegations, but does not know if they will come forward or not. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
”There’s a lot of information that needs to be looked at…. I was called by Attorney Dwight Thomas… to look into these allegations that have been brought against Bishop Eddie Long and the church…. We will address each and every allegation made by each of the individuals in this case. And to shed light onto the fact that the charges are frivolous, and we plan to address them accordingly.”
Dwight Thomas, a private investigator who says he’s been hired by Eddie Long‘s attorney to investigate and debunk the allegations of sexual impropriety being brought against the preacher. (11 Alive)
As has been noted, one of the young men was caught stealing electronics and jewelry from Long’s office, but his lawyer claims he did so to retaliate against Long and his love of material things. Reports say at least some of those belongings have been returned. Another report says that a request was made that criminal charges be dropped, but police thus far are continuing to look into the situation.
”The allegations of a divorce pleading that is nearly 30 years old are absolutely ‘not true.’ It’s offensive and disappointing that the media would drag up these outrageous allegations and make them a part of their reporting.”
Criag Gillen an attorney for Eddie Long regarding an allegation put forth by Dabara S. Houston. She was Long’s first wife, and it is being reported that Long filed for divorce from her in 1985. In response Houston said that Long physically abused her and beat her while she was pregnant. The child of that marriage is now working at Long’s New Birth Church, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. (AJC.com)
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