UPDATE: 5:25 PM
“It has been reported that the Bishop Eddie Long is going to step down as pastor after his sermon set to be delivered on Sunday.”
“There are also reports that as many as 30 young men have contacted the plaintiff’s attorney, BJ Bernstein, in an effort to file suits of their own or join the existing lawsuit.”
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A fourth man has just filed the fourth civil lawsuit against Bishop Eddie Long, claiming the Pastor had sex with him when the claimant was a teenager. This, after three others have accused the Bishop of similar deeds.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports,
Spencer LeGrande, named in a civil lawsuit filed Friday, claims he was 17 the first time the two had a sexual relationship while vacationing in Nairobi, Kenya.
LeGrande, of Charlotte, N.C., alleges that the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor gave him an Ambien, a popular prescription sleep aid, followed by a “prolonged hug,” kissing and rubbing, according to the suit.
The suit claims the two shared a bed for the remainder of their trip.
“Long categorically deny the charges,” church spokesman Art Franklin said Friday. “We believe that it is unfortunate the young men have chosen to take this course of action. The defense team will review the complaints and respond accordingly at the appropriate time and in the appropriate forum.”
That forum was supposed to be Thursday, when Bishop Long was scheduled to appear on the Tom Joyner radio show, but he canceled. He has now stated he will address his 25,000 member church on Sunday. Most assume he will discuss these allegations.
Will a fourth accusation alter his plans?