CNN - Men allege sexual coercion by prominent Atlanta pastor Bishop E. Long

Men allege sexual coercion by prominent Atlanta pastor Two Georgia men have filed suit claiming that prominent Atlanta pastor Eddie Long coerced them into sex. The suits, filed Tuesday in DeKalb County, Georgia, allege that Long used his position as a spiritual authority and bishop to coerce young male members and employees of his New Birth Missionary Baptist Church into sex. "Defendant Long has a pattern and practice of singling out a select group of young male church members and using his authority as Bishop over them to ultimately bring them to a point of engaging in a sexual relationship," the suits allege. Long is considered one of the nation's top black preachers. The pastor took one plaintiff, Anthony Flagg, 21, on overnight trips to a half-dozen American cities in recent years, Flagg's suit alleges. "Long shared a bedroom and engaged in intimate sexual contact with plaintiff Flagg including kissing, massaging, masturbating of plaintiff Flagg by defendant Long and oral sexual contact," the suit says. Long took the other plaintiff, Maurice Murray Robinson, 20, to Auckland, New Zealand, in October 2008 for his 19th birthday and engaged in oral sex with him, Robinson's suit alleges. "Following the New Zealand Trip, Defendant Long regularly engaged in sexual touching, and other sexual acts with Plaintiff Robinson," Robinson's suit alleges. Long spokesman Art Franklin said Tuesday that "we categorically deny the allegations." "It is very unfortunate that someone has taken this course of action," he said. "Our law firm will be able to respond once attorneys have had an opportunity to review the lawsuit." Both plaintiffs said the pastor, his church and church employees gave them cash and lavish gifts that ranged from cars to college tuition. The suits also said that Long framed the sexual relationships as religious in nature. "Defendant Long would use Holy Scripture to discuss and justify the intimate relationship between himself and Plaintiff Robinson," Robinson's suit alleges. The suits are seeking unspecified amounts of punitive damages from Long on various counts, ranging from negligence to breach of fiduciary duty. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bishop Eddie Long Bio Eddie Lee Long is the senior pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Lithonia, Georgia, United States. He first served as pastor in 1987 for a congregation consisting of just more than 300 members. Since his installation, New Birth's membership has multiplied to well over 30,000 members. Biography Born in Huntersville, North Carolina, Eddie L. Long is the husband of Vanessa Griffin Long and the father of four children, Eric, Edward, Jared, and Taylor.[1] He attended North Mecklenburg High School before attending North Carolina Central University, where he received a degree in Business Administration. Located in DeKalb County, Georgia, in the city of Lithonia, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church seeks to impact the community through many outreach programs and community-empowering projects orchestrated by Long. Long also serves as the founder and CEO of New Birth Christian Academy, a Christian school operated by New Birth.[1] In addition to serving as the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Long also serves as a member on several boards, including the Morehouse School of Religion Board of Directors (Vice Chair); Board of Visitors for Emory University; Board of Trustees for North Carolina Central University; Board of Trustees for Young Life; Board of Trustees for Fort Valley State University; Board of Directors for Safehouse Outreach Ministries; and 100 Black Men Of America (honorary). In 2006, Long was unanimously voted as Vice Chair of Beulah Heights Bible College's Board of Trustees. He's also served as co-chair for the "Hosea Feed the Hungry" project since 2001. Long was honored in 2005 at the Trumpet Awards for his leadership, dedication and service around the world. That same year, he received the "100" award for his efforts in the area of economic development, youth development, education and health awareness by the DeKalb Chapter of the 100 Black Men of America. Particularly for health awareness, Long was honored by the Center for Disease Control and the National HIV/AIDS Partnership (NHAP) for his work in fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS. In 2006, Long was chosen by the family of Martin Luther King, Jr. to host and officiate the funeral for Mrs. Coretta Scott King, wife of the late civil rights pioneer.[2] The event was attended by four Presidents (George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter).[3] Long has authored numerous books, including I Don't Want Delilah, I Need You; Power of a Wise Woman; What a Man Wants, What a Woman Needs; Called to Conquer; Taking Over; It's Your Time!; Gladiator: The Strength of a Man; The Blessing in Giving and Deliver Me From Adam. Long is also featured on rapper Ludacris' album Release Therapy. He appears on the track "Freedom of Preach" where he delivers a speech about God and faith.[4] Long is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.[5] Education Long received his Bachelor degree in Business Administration from North Carolina Central University and a Master of Divinity degree from Interdenominational Theological Center. He has received honorary doctorates from North Carolina Central University, Beulah Heights Bible College, and the Morehouse School of Religion. Long also holds an earned doctoral degree, or PhD, in Pastoral Ministry from the International College of Excellence.[1] Controversy On August 28, 2005 the Atlanta Journal-Constitution printed a front page spread accusing Long of mishandling funds that were funneled through a charity started by Long. The article reports that from 1997–2000, the non-profit charity, Bishop Eddie Long Ministries Inc., provided him with at least $3.07 million in salary, benefits and the use of property. Long contended that the charity did not solicit donations from members but instead gained its income from royalties, speaking fees and several large donations.[6] In 2006, Long's appearance at Atlanta's Interdenominational Theological Center's graduation stirred up controversy, and led to some students discussing a boycott. Long's invitation prompted Black liberation theologian James Cone — who was scheduled to receive an honorary degree — to boycott the ceremony. Thirty-three graduating seniors sent a letter to the seminary's president "questioning Long's theological and ethical integrity to be their commencement speaker." Many students did not agree with Long's beliefs that God can "deliver" homosexuals and his teachings on prosperity.[7] Sex scandal lawsuit On September 21, 2010 two men filed lawsuits in DeKalb County Superior Court alleging that Long coerced them into sex with him.[8] His attorneys have denied the allegations.[9] Long scheduled a news conference and was to be interviewed by Roland Martin during a segment on the The Tom Joyner Morning Show on September 23 to discuss the two lawsuits. However, on September 22, a third man filed a similar lawsuit which prompted Long to cancel his appearance at both events.[10][11] The lawsuits filed by Maurice Robinson, Anthony Flagg, and Jamal Parris are similar in that they accuse Long of using his pastoral influence to coerce them into a sexual relationship.[12] The lawsuits read "Long would discuss the Holy Scripture to justify and support the sexual activity."[12] The plaintiffs state Long placed the men on the church's payroll, bought them cars and other gifts, and took them seperately on trips to desinations such as Trinidad, Honduras, and New Zealand.[8][12] CNN has said "Long frequently denounces homosexual behavior."[10] In 2004, Long led a march with Bernice King to her father Martin Luther King, Jr.'s grave to support a national constitutional amendment to protect marriage "between one man and one woman."[13] A 2007 article in the Southern Poverty Law Center's magazine called him "one of the most virulently homophobic black leaders in the religiously based anti-gay movement."[10] Georgia gubernatorial candidate Roy Barnes canceled a fundraiser that Long was to co-host.[12] Ted Haggard, who pastored a megachurch until a gay sex scandal forced him to resign said "Long deserves a fair hearing and that if the accusations are false, he will survive the ordeal."[14]