Evangelist: I Bought Meth From Gay Escort

Rev. Ted Haggard Admits Buying Drugs Once, But Says He Never Used Them And Threw Them Away

(CBS/AP)  The president of the National Association of Evangelicals, suspected of paying a gay man for sex, has admitted "some guilt," according to church official.

Rev. Ted Haggard has said he purchased methamphetamine from a gay escort after contacting him for a massage, but never used the drugs and threw them away, according to an interview he gave with KUSA-TV. He said he met the escort in a Denver hotel room.

"I bought it for myself but never used it," he said. "I was tempted, but I never used it."

Haggard, 50, said he never had sex with Mike Jones, a 49-year-old male prostitute who sparked the scandals when he told a radio station he had had a three-year sexual relationship with the minister.

Haggard said he did get a massage from Jones after being referred to him by a Denver hotel.

Haggard, an outspoken opponent of gay marriage, has given up his post while a church panel investigates the allegations. He resigned as president of the 30 million-member association Thursday, as well as his post as head of his 14,000-member New Life Church pending an investigation.

Jones admits he was motivated by politics — Haggard opposes a gay marriage amendment now on the ballot in Colorado, reports CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts.

There’s also a separate measure would establish the legality of domestic partnerships providing same-sex couples with many of the rights of married couples.

The accusation could also affect several Republicans running for Congress in Colorado, reports CBS News correspondent Gloria Borger.

But in terms of the larger picture, one Republican political consultant told Borger, "On a scale of 1 to 10, of all the things we've got to worry about, this is a 1."

The acting senior pastor at New Life, Ross Parsley, told CBS affiliate KKTV-TV of Colorado Springs Haggard admitted that some of the accusations were true.

"I just know that there has been some admission of indiscretion, not admission to all of the material that has been discussed, but there is an admission of some guilt," Parsley told the station. Parsley added that the church remains "100 percent for him."

Parsley did not elaborate, but in an e-mail addressed to congregants, he wrote that the church's four-member board of overseers had since met with Haggard.

"It is important for you to know that he confessed to the overseers that some of the accusations against him are true," Parsley wrote. "He has willingly and humbly submitted to the authority of the board of overseers, and will remain on administrative leave during the course of the investigation," CBS station KCNC-TV in Denver reports.

In a statement Thursday night, Haggard said, "I am voluntarily stepping aside from leadership so that the overseer process can be allowed to proceed with integrity. I hope to be able to discuss this matter in more detail at a later date. In the interim, I will seek both spiritual advice and guidance."

Carolyn Haggard, a spokeswoman for the New Life Church and the pastor's niece, said a four-member church panel would investigate the allegations. The board has the authority to discipline Haggard, including removing him from ministry work.

Church members were stunned by the allegations.

"It's political, right before the elections," said Brian Boals, a New Life member for 17 years.

Church member E.J. Cox, 25, called the claims "ridiculous."

"People are always saying stuff about Pastor Ted," she said. "You just sort of blow it off. He's just like anyone else in the public eye."

Jones said he decided to go public because of the political fight over the amendments.

[agnim]

Oh, I forget the lies and deceit of these crazy christians, in addition to their sexual deviances.

For why would this prominent man resign if he was falsely accused?
Obviously this filth stirring f@g is totally confused, and mixed up about his gender to boot. LOL

[jhindson1]

Oh Oh - another hypocrite going to rehab - the Evangelical version aka Religious Counselling

This time the president of the National Association of Evangelicals REPRESENTING 30 MILLION EVANGELICALS. This makes the Mark Foley thing miniscule in comparisson.

The best example yet of the hypocracies of the Religious right movement. All religious groups --Evangelicals, Catholics, Farwell followers etc etc
should MYOB and stay out of politics and stop trying to marginalize the rights of others by imposing their own religious based dogma on the rest of us.

When quoting the Bible, they say that God's word must be obeyed (*** are bad) but silent on the passages that say *** should be smitten - murdered. Selective cherry picking of the Bible only when it is in their interests.

There are lots of evanglicals that are gay, have had an abortion, are ill and would benefit from stem cell research and yet -- whats this -- they cannot even control the behaviour of their own followers?

Nothing prevents anyone from deciding to follow whatever beliefs they wish to follow.

However, they should do it amoung their believers and groups and stay out of politics and LEAVE THE REST OF US ALONE.

[leo009]

All of these evangelical pastors are closet ***. What else could explain the zael with which they hate the gay community - they simply air their internal conflicts!

[nothappyatall]

YEAH!!!!!!!!! TOLD YA!!!!!!! it's ALWAYS the one who scream the loudest on this chit like g.ay marriage and "family values" who are the guilty mo fo's!!!
These morons ALWAYS have these skeletons in their pathetic little closets, get him OUT!!!

[blazercoach1]

Should I or should I not be amazed at how many people already assume him to be guilty as charged? (John Mark Karr, anyone?)

Is it not POSSIBLE that the accuser is making this up? It is possible we will hear no more of this story if he is found innocent.

[j-whitman]

Wait untill they realized how Bush has really abused them,,, they'll all be looking for a spaceship to get on.

[radiob-2009]

Until evidence is presented that proves beyond a reasonable doubt about these allegations one should under moral and legal guidlines presume innocent.There have been many innocent men sent to prison notably Ruben "Hurricane" Carter the boxer who was convicted of murder and spent almost 20 years in prison.A pastor deserves the same presumption of innocence as any one else.I may not agree with this churchs positions but I have to presume innocence until proven guilty.

[johnh1232]

Sad day for the kids

[radiob-2009]

All of the people here that are presuming guilt because of their distaste for Bush or religion should be ashamed.I do not like Bush and I do not agree with the Pat Robertson and other like minded zealots but to condemm a man without any real facts is a sin against humanity.Grow up and open your minds to the facts that people are accused of crimes that are in fact innocent.You do not honor civility or America.

[j-whitman]

radiobob,, I agree, I don't know the details on this, too busy with Iraq problem,, However there are times when the accumalating facts demand immediate action.. Like Bush destroying our National Security, & this out of control war.

[radiob-2009]

To j-whitman What Bush has done to our country is not relevant to this story.The poster above Agnim is asumming guilt before this even gets to the courts.Yes there are many deviants in Church and out of church however every person is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.To do other wise is akin to the to the Patriot act provisions that allow hearsay to be admitted as evidence.It is ludicrous.i have to go.Keep an open mind and remember to vote.

[j-whitman]

radiobob,, That's where we dissagree,, Blind allegience to a particular faith or political party doesn't help our nation nor it's people. Maybe an understanding of the Crimes of Christianity would be helpfull,,, I used to go to church 3-4 times a week trying to understand this stuff... We teach things equivelent to what Madrasa's teach, & now our churches are teaching Martodom to our Children,, ie. Jesus Camp & Bush is some kind of God.

[j-whitman]

radiobob,,, The 2 most important things that effect our daily lives Religon & Politics,, I have heard all my 57 years "Not to talk about",, We are now seeing the results, in our churches & government.

[bob_burd]

Another bum-bangin' hypocrite bites the dust.

Selah

[j-whitman]

radiobob,,, It is very relevent,,, Investigations are now starting on how this administration altered Reports On The Growing Hunger In Our Nation,,,, REAL FAMILY VALUES

[j-whitman]

radiobob,,,, What is it the Church teaches?,, Beware of the Silver Toung Devil,, or something like that? Correct me if I'm misstating it... I can see how Bush just might be that Devil,,, However I believe the Devil is in us all,,, Bush is simply a man also.

[j-whitman]

This is too distracting,, I'm going back to the news,, Cheney's contractors are pulling out of Iraq. Bye

[cdierd]

It is interesting that some want to give Haggard the presumption of innocence are the same ones who want to jump on the first negative rumor about Democrats. Here is a chance to show these hypocrits that we are better people than they are. Okay, give him the chance to prove the charges are wrong. In the meantime, don't trust these hypocrits and vote against the party that has a conference call with them every week to get their permission on major policy matters. Keep you eyes on Jesus but don't trust Christians who profess to speak for God--they don't.

[kkbxo123]

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COMMUNION WINE, PEOPLE!!!

Hard as it might be for you "holier than thou's" to believe ... even in the Christian faith, there are homosexuals, sexual predators, cheaters, thiefs and ******. Awake yet?!

I'm not here to say whether Haggard is guilty or just "haggard" but I've learned that these accusations don't usually appear out of nowhere. Most times ... they're true, or at least have some element of truth therein.

Obviously, we let due course take place, and then accept that (most likely) this married man might've been "steady" with his wife, while also being "steadier" with this other fellow.

Living a Christian life with "eyes wide open" ... is much more challenging than merely sitting in a pew once a week ... wouldn't you agree? Wide awake yet, folks? Good.

PS: I'm a straight Christian, and my best friend is gay. I have no angst with combining the two. Join me, won't you?

This is not news. This is a ridiculous unfounded piece of gossip with the intent of ruining ted haggards career.

I cannot belive the media picked this one up.

are you kidding me???

I am not a right-wing nut job and I don't even go to church, but I just have to say this is some of the worst misuse of the news media I have seen for awhile.

I hope someone gets fired over this

Mike Jones looks to me like another Mark Carr.

Amazing how these whackos can get so much attention by a crazy false allegation!

The press should be embarrased that they took this bait.

I am embarrased for them!!! how stupid can you be???

[maggie101161]

Ya know, I think I will wait for the forensics. If the letter he has was mailed by Haggard, it will have his DNA on it. Then the situation cannot be disputed. I have seen enough people here getting their exercise jumping to conclusions, trading verbal punches, seeking where they should be finding, and hopping on the "target" bashing bandwagon. I'll just sit back, relax, and wait.

the funny thing is that even though the purpose of this story is to ruin Haggard, knowing what I know about guys like that, he will not retaliate against the accuser.

In the end he will come out a more powerful leader and the news media will look like total morons.

Will you journalists PLEASE stick to real news. this political public opinion manipulation is so ridiculous!

I cant even stand to vote anymore because all anyone does anymore is throw mud at each other!!!

grow up and start writing news!!!

[dsought]

I can't wait to learn how much money from the parishioner's collection plate was used to pay for these sexual rendezvous. This is the same old story with the Holier Than Thou folk. They're the kettles calling the pots black. I'll betcha he's going to try defining what the word "is" is.

[toddmcmechen]

Oh, he's guilty alright.

All of these vigilant homophobes are closeted ***.

theres no need for forensics here.

these allegations defy logic.

even if Haggard were doing anything like it, he is a superstar. He wouldnt settle for some nasty 51 year old 'escort'. He would not leave a voice mail, and he surely wouldn't send mail to this guy that could be traced.

Also he did'nt "quit" or "resign". he followed the established practice and stepped aside so that he could be investigated. if he is exhonerated, he returns to his position a stronger man.

Let me re-iterate I am not a republican, I don't go to church, I do not hate homosexuals and I think guys like Haggard are a bit crazy, but in this case I have to say that it is really screwed up that the news media is giving this story any coverage at all!

[ericdobbs]

Like it or not, this is news. Religion has injected itself so thoroughly into our political lives that something like this matters and should be reported and followed through to the end. I have no sympathy with religion or the theocratic right wing, but I hope for this man's family's sake that this is a totally false accusation. However, if the evidence bears this out, it will be good for the country, even if it is tragic for the family. We must return to the secular ideals of the Founding Fathers, for whom the European wars of religion were a vivid and recent memory. Perhaps this will help us find our way again.

If it is news, it's poorly written news.

the attention grabbing headlines are completely misleading.

And why in the world is it the top story???

if anything it belongs in "offbeat news"

[angryliberal-2009]

JAmes MCgreevy (also against gay marriage) actually did what this guy is accused of and worse and he is held up as a hero.

Why is this making news....who cares, I have never heard of this dude.

The guy says he didnt do it why try to ruin his reputation more than it already is?

Sure we all know there are perverts everywhere, but why single out this guy?

besides most closet *** appose gay marriage....

Oh I get it CBS is keeping up with their liberal Christian bashing and gay bashing.

[marcelde]

B USH AND R USH BOTH LOVE TO G USH

THEIR NAMES THE SAME
WE SPELL IT %u201CLAME%u201D

THEY PREACH AND SCOLD
THEIR LIES ARE OLD
WE DON%u2019T BELIEVE
ONE THING THEY%u2019VE TOLD

ITS UP TO USH
TO MAKE THEM SHUSH

CAUSE WHAT THEY GUSH
SHOULD MAKE THEM BLUSH

BUT LET%u2019S NOT HUSH
THAT ONE%u2019S A LUSH

THEY%u2019LL MAKE A FUSH
AND TALK PURE MUSH

SO KISH MY TUSH,
PILL POPPIN RUSH!

[angryliberal-2009]

He is no politician, why should this interest me? Why should we care if he did or didnt have a homosexual relationship? I have never seen the media come down on *** like they have latley... I mean thats good and all, but it seems strange. On one hand they push for gay marriage, on the other hand they persecute *** every time they get the chance....

[angryliberal-2009]

marcelde

uhhhh?....okkkkkk...

Are you on something?

[angryliberal-2009]

nautiq,

I agree, why is this a big deal? I would expect to see this on the bottom section of the Drudge report not front page on CBS. It must fit in with CBS's agenda some how...

Maybe they will spin to affect the election somehow...

trust me, this guy is completely innocent of the accusations. and I trust no one.

Watch the interview. he is either a total psychopath or has the clearest conscience on the planet.

If it turns out he is guilty, I will eat my words.

[mperkel]

Obviously this is a Democratic plot. It's Clinton's fault and Hollyweird and operatives associated to George Soros.

I never knew that there were so many gay Republicans! At least Clinton was with women. This is too funny.

[fascistusa]

The Church has TOO much power in this Fascist County.

If this was just a Nut making an outragious accusation, then this whole deal would just be laughed off. Come on. Opponant of Gay Marriage. Evangalist. Christian. Wouldn't think this was even a possibility. Would think it was a joke...

unless of course, it's TRUE.

[angryliberal-2009]

Kennedy Offered to Help Soviets Thwart U.S. Policies, KGB Papers Show
By Kevin Mooney
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
November 02, 2006

(CNSNews.com) - While Soviet troops occupied Afghanistan in 1980, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) worked in close concert with high level Kremlin officials to alter the direction of U.S. policy, according to documents made available through a KGB defector.

Details concerning Kennedy's correspondence with KGB agents are included in the writings of the late Vasiliy Mitrokhin who defected to Britain in 1992. The Mitrokhin papers highlight a meeting that took place at the behest of Kennedy between former Sen. John Tunney (D-Calif.) and KGB agents in Moscow on March 5, 1980.

The exchange of information between Tunney and the KGB is included as part of a report Mitrokhin filed with the Cold War International History Project of the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington D.C. The former KGB man continued to work with British intelligence until the time of his death.

Noted Cold War author and researcher Herbert Romerstein told Cybercast News Service Mitrokhin was a "highly credible source" with vast knowledge of the now-closed KGB archives.

Prior to his defection, Mitrokhin made meticulous copies of KGB documents by hand, explained Romerstein, who headed the U.S. government's Office to Counter Soviet Disinformation and Active Measures during the 1980s.

The KGB defector smuggled out six cases of notes that formed the basis of his reporting.

[angryliberal-2009]

continued....

The KGB files Mitrokhin retrieved indicate that Kennedy fixed the blame for heightened international tensions on the Carter White House, not on the Kremlin. Kennedy at the time was challenging incumbent Carter for the Democratic nomination for president.

Tunney told his KGB counterparts that Kennedy was impressed by the foreign policy statements made by then General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev. Kennedy saw in Brezhnev a leader who was firmly committed to the policy of "ditente," the report said.

But, in Kennedy's estimation, the Carter administration had assumed an overly belligerent posture toward the Soviet Union after the invasion of Afghanistan, Mitrokhin wrote.

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200611/POL20061102b.html

[angryliberal-2009]

NOW THAT's A FRONT PAGE STORY, SAME LEVEL OF SPECULATION AS THIS....and this guy is a politician.

[angryliberal-2009]

ANTI-Military and ANTI-U.S., this kind of *** that Kennedy is being accused of should not even be suspect of our politicians...

[gregfisk]

This is an absolute joke. I go to New Life Church and I know Ted's integrity through and through. It's unforgivable that the media is giving it any attention without the slightest due dilligence - shouldn't the media be required to check things out a little prior to going on a frenzy?

I saw the video of his interview - he looked to the left everytime he broke eye contact with the interviewer - which means he was accessing the left hemisphere of the brain, the analytical side - which almost always means the person is being truthful. Looking to the right, means accessing the creative faculty of the brain and generally indicates lying or imbellishing (sp).

I'm in Colorado Springs and if I get the chance to meet up with this accusor, he's going to land on the pavement. Trust me, if you were to know the Haggard's at all(I know his son, my neice is married to him), you'd know what a true man Ted is. I have nothing in the slightest against *** personally, and it's just fine with me if they want to get married, but Ted Haggard is like the quintessential opposite of a gay man. I know many *** in my business, so I know a little about them. Bottom line... gay, Ted ain't.

When this is over, the accusor should be put on trial and do jail time. I've been in jail... guys like that get what they deserve in there. But then who knows, he might just enjoy it.

FascistUSA

my IQ dropped a few points after reading your post.

ever heard the concept "innocent until proven guilty"?

ha ha the *** makes you think people are writing terms like f-a-g.

looks like h-o-m-o-s-e-x-u-a-l is not an acceptable word to use. or whatever people are writing.

love censorship eh?

the right wing influence at work.

in the end, I want to say that i totally respect the way Ted Haggard is handling this situation.

I would be up in arms defending my integrity, but he is patiently stepping back and letting the facts speak for themselves.

It also appears that he is humble enough to acknowledge that his church/religious organization is bigger than one man. It takes a big man to let go of his powerful position for the good of the whole organization.

Ted you have all my respect!!

[pudd54]

This evangelist is no more likely to have *** with a man, than a conservative congressman is to make sexual advances to a page, or a priest is to have *** with a boy, or an evangelist named Baker is to swindle his own followers. Get a grip, hypocrites are all around us.

But don%u2019t lose faith just yet; examine the evidence when it is given, then judge for yourself. If he is a good guy more power to him. If not, pray for him and those who lose their faith because of misplaced trust. Ultimately, he will be judged by a higher power.

Yes, I am a true believer, I just happen to be cynical too.

[kchaffee29]

People coming forward with a story, even if they are not true, and getting all this attention will only make it more inticing for others to come forward with stories that aren't true.
On one hand, I hope this isn't true because I would feel bad for his family and friends but on the other hand I hope it is true so that people that are out there thinking about making up some crazy story just to get attention won't.
The truth is best. I hope it comes out.

[hsmagst]

to jhindson1: So what is it makes you think that Christians are not allowed to have political feelings and opinions and are not allowed to express them if they do. They are American citizens with the same rights and priveledges you have to play in the political arena. Christians don't think they are super special, just saved and they like to share the joy they feel at being saved. And as for our stance on gay marriage, its based on the Bible....God said hate the sin but love the sinner. And where do we as a society draw the line? Monogamy? Poligamy, Incestual relationships......after all, if everyone involved agrees, how could it be wrong? Whats best for society, setting limits or letting anyone do whatever they want?

[stevyz1]

SAVED? FROM WHAT? YOU SOUND LIKE THAT TV EVANGELIST BILL KELLER SAYING IF YOU DONT BELIEVE YOU WILL BURN IN HELL... THE ONLY THING WE NEED SAVING FROM IS GEORGE BUSHES FAILED LEADERSHIP..WHEN IT COMES TO SALVATION HE WILL NEED THE MOST HELP HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT LIVES EXTINGUISHED SO YOU RELIGIOUS WHACKOS SHOULD PRAY FOR BUSH CHANEY AND YOURSELVES FOR SUPPORTING A MURDERER

[drsweener]

If you are against gay marriage, don't marry a gay person. I am Christian, I don't agree with it, but what I do agree with is God given freedom protected by the constitution. I love Jesus, but I also have the rational thought to weigh all political issues and not commit my vote to a single issue that has no bearing on my life.

[gregfisk]

Whatsmore... did anybody even bother to think hmmm.... to:
... the guy talks about leaving voicemail on an answering machine... hello? voicemail is for mobile phones and business-based phone systems, NOT answering machines. The vonacular here don't add up.
...point 2, Ted Haggard is like a rock star. EVERYone knows who he is if you're from around here. Do you really think that he'd go off and pay for *** with a hooker and pay in cash in an envelope just to get "physical" as he says? Com on!
...point 3, I've been in Ted's office, he doesn't so much as spit without someone else seeing it. That guy is balls to the walls busy without a moment to lose. Everything he does is in the public eye and in the limelight. He has NO time to himself that isn't scheduled by someone else.
...point 4, this guy had an affair for THREE YEARS (count them people, this is supposedly been going on for 3 years - that's a long time even by Job's measurements) and all he has is WHAT? What? A couple of voice mails on his answering machine and an ENVELOPE?!!!!! ***? Give me a break. I've got to stop now I'm getting too worked up.

I have a SIX YEAR OLD CHILD that is smart enough to see through this guy's *** story.

Whoever was standing guard at the B.S. gate (Sr. editors @CBS, ABC, CNN, et al) when this guy came walking in should be FIRED! (Strike that, let's go back to Biblical days and say executed - this is akin to high treason) This is one story that should never have been told. eot.