Bishop Eddie Long settled so he didn't have to go on record, says lawyer

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

Bishop Eddie Long of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, in Lithonia, Ga., Jan. 18, 2007

/ AP Photo/Gene Blythe, file

(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.

PICTURES: Bishop Eddie Long

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 CBS affiliate WGCL.

"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.

Morgan told WGCL he is familiar with cases like Long's.

"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.

The attorneys for both sides emailed WGCL statements that simply said, "The case is resolved."

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.

Complete coverage of Bishop Eddie Long on Crimesider

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Bishop Eddie Long

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by KingKong3430 May 31, 2011 1:59 AM EDT: 1TO THE angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him Who holds the seven stars [which are the messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, Who goes about among the seven golden lampstands [which are the seven churches]:
2I know your industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot tolerate wicked [men] and have tested and critically appraised those who call [themselves] apostles (special messengers of Christ) and yet are not, and have found them to be impostors and liars.

Eddie Long is an imposter and a liar.Thank you.That is for the phony ,hypocritical "Christians"out there who refuse to read a bible and who do not believe in discipline.Obviously these"Christians" do not discipline their young children.They just pray for them.Phonies.; Reply to this comment

by PricelessNana May 30, 2011 10:47 PM EDT

We don't know what took place in this situation. However, one thing I do know, God sees and knows everything. So if this is indeed true, God will bring it to light. And at the same time, He will have His judgement and punishment on Mr. Long. God tells us that we are not to worry about the things people say or do to us because He will fight our battles for us, just as He did Daniel and his three friends. So if He didn't do it, He should have allowed God to prove His innocence. Do not touch my annointed says the Lord-therefore, if this isn't true, those four will answer to God for it. He should have allowed God to handle this.

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by KingKong3430 May 31, 2011 2:20 AM EDT: 1 Timothy 5:19 (King James Version)

19Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

What bible do you read.Do not misinterpret scripture to protect an imposter and a liar.Why did Paul confronmt Peter publicly? That scripture about God's annointed referred to a King not to the office of a bishop that can be chosen by anyone if the church deems them worthy of the stipulations that Paul wrote.Didn't Paul admonish the Corinthian church for NOT judging matters among themselves instead of using secular courts?Paul gave a believer that the church would NOT judge over to Satan so he would be corrected.Oh I forgot.That is bible and not made up b##sh@t to protect phony @ss preachers.My bad.The hypocrites will be more offended by my "cussing" than a "man of God" who uses his influence to seduce young men.Pray for me.


by accountb May 30, 2011 1:15 PM EDT: If Edwina (eddie) long is not guilty of the homosexual charges with those young men, THEN WHY DID HE SETTLE THE CASE, AFTERALL, HE SAID "THIS THING I'M GONNA FIGHT"!!!!!!, just days after the lawsuits surfaced; Reply to this comment


by sandigogo May 27, 2011 10:41 PM EDT: also want to say anyone reading these comments from longs last assembly Im pondering are you fed up had enough of this long person?.well at least something good has come out of this ,even one person the scales has come off their eyes..there is hope peace comfort understanding honesty love all you hoped for in long is out there in your community with doors and hearts to receive your wounded soule and spirt and trust fears.be still wait on god test the fruits of the next fold..those that are reading this to give these remarks to your feeling sorry for himself full of self pity pastor please pull away from his sorry being.why waste your time,let him be to repent and go away.believe me that is the best gift you can give him; Reply to this comment


by sandigogo May 27, 2011 10:17 PM EDT: so thrilled these young men stood up to this falling from grace monster.... I can,t put in words monster is even clean to what this soule snacher did..such lust to get to the place to damage gods children like this I pray these young men don,t hold them self guilty this was all mind control. not all that come in the name of god is from god .study the fruits of the one you trust as a leader of the word.; Reply to this comment

by STORMIEEE May 27, 2011 10:04 PM EDT

AT THE START, I BELIEVE THAT OWING THAT BISHOP LONG IS FIRST HUMAN, NEXT, HE IS A "MAN OF THE CLOTH" - HENCE MUST AT THE LEAST BE EXTENDED MUCH RESPECT AS A RESULT.

HAVING SAID THAT MUCH, WHAT I DO BELIEVE REGARDING THE MATTER AT
HAND, IS THAT IN REALITY THE "TRUTH' IS NOT OPTIONAL. AND THOUGH
WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT BISHOP LONG HAS SETTLED SO AS TO
AVOID HAVING TO GO ON RECORD, THATS ACCORDING TO HIS LAWYER.

FOLKS, NOT TO WORRY, AS, WHAT'S IN THE DARK, WILL CERTAINLY COME
OUT IN THE LIGHT.

AND HOW WOULD ONE BE SO CERTAIN?

REMEMBERING ALWAYS, THAT OUR GOD = A "GOD OD PROMISE".

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by boldandworthy September 27, 2011 5:46 AM EDT: It's already brought to the light. But only those who choose to receive the message will heed it.


by thebob-bob May 27, 2011 5:16 PM EDT: What's the problem? Most shepherds wind up having sex with a sheep or two. The sad thing is that he won't embrace his own sexuality. Sublimation leads to sexual acting out.

Private planes, limousines, fancy jewelry and tailored clothes. I guess that sounds like a "true" Christian to an Evangelical Baptist.; Reply to this comment


by GetAGrip007 May 27, 2011 2:25 PM EDT: I have a cousin who was molested by a Boy Scout leader and he took a settlement to be quiet. The money was too much for a kid his age- he ended up becoming a drug addled alcoholic- PLUS the "scout leader" went on to continue to molest finally being brought to charges 12 years later. Taking money to be quiet is not a healthy choice nor a moral one. That this congregation buys this molester's innocence is beyond me.; Reply to this comment


by koko98-2009 May 27, 2011 12:22 PM EDT: I am glad you mentioned the confidentiality agreements. Now his sheep won't be told what kind of self loathing pervert he really is.; Reply to this comment


by letitplay1 May 27, 2011 11:55 AM EDT: As long as you have "Zombies in the church" you will always have Eddie Longs in the pulpit!!!! After the settlement the "storehouse" will be empty and all will be "business as usual"; Reply to this comment