The AP is reporting that a fourth man, Spencer LeGrande has filed a law suit against Bishop Eddie Long for sexual coercion, the third such report this week. The press release is provided in its entirety:
"This afternoon, lawyers BJ Bernstein of The Bernstein Firm, Jay Sadd of the law firm of Slappey and Sadd, and Katherine V. Hernacki of The Hernacki Law Firm filed a lawsuit on behalf of Spencer LeGrande suing Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The lawsuit
alleges Breach of Fiduciary Duty; Negligence; Fraud; Infliction of Emotional Distress and other Counts based on Sexual Acts by Bishop Long against this young male church member.
alleges Breach of Fiduciary Duty; Negligence; Fraud; Infliction of Emotional Distress and other Counts based on Sexual Acts by Bishop Long against this young male church member.
"Mr. LeGrande has alleged in the complaint that he met Bishop Long when he was 15 years old at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC where he and his mother were among the founding families. Mr. LeGrande accompanied the Bishop on several international trips, including trips to Kenya and South Africa. Mr. LeGrande relocated to Atlanta at the behest of Bishop Long in order to attend Beulah Heights University. Intimate contact began with the first Africa trip and extended through Mr. LeGrande's time living in Atlanta.
There will be no press conference, and no statements from the attorneys or this courageous young man, who is another David stepping forward against Goliath."
This past Tuesday, news broke that two young men from the Atlanta-based mega church pastor's flock had filed law suits alleging sexual coercion. By Wednesday, a third man came forth with a similar claim. All of the accusers were teenage boys when they first began interacting with Long as "spiritual sons."
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FORMAL COMPLAINT FROM MAURICE ROBINSON
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FORMAL COMPLAINT FROM ANTHONY FLAGG
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FORMAL COMPLAINT FROM JAMAL PARRIS
By Thursday, a press conference and scheduled interview on the Tom Joyner Morning Show were canceled per the advisement of Long's attorneys. The Bishop denied the claims in a statement read by his attorney.
Long is expected to speak to his congregation at New birth Cathedral this Sunday, September 25, but broke his silence first time since the accusations to the community of faith on a conference call today.
"We will arise through this situation, and go forward, and we are moving forward," Long said according to CBS affiliate WGCL.
Long asked for prayer for his family, children and church and he was praying for the accusers.
"I have never dealt with anything like this before. I have been under attack before, but everything else has been different levels and different challenges," Long said.
He did not answer any questions during that call since the case is in litigation, but said the truth will be revealed.