Bishop Eddie Long Racks Up 4th Lawsuit

Well folks, this story continues to get more and more “interesting” and complicated.

We’ve just learned that a fourth young man, Spencer Legrande, 22,  has just filed suit against Bishop Eddie Long for sexual coercion. As a member and and while adjutant to the Pastor of New Birth Charlotte (in North Carolina) he claims that Bishop Long took him to Kenya in 2005 when he was 17 and began their alleged sexual relationship there. The suit also claims Bishop Long later encouraged him to move to Atlanta and that the alleged relationship continued there until 2009.


Read Spencer LeGrande’s complaint.

Read Anthony Flagg’s complaint.

Read Maurice Robinson’s complaint.

Read Jamal Parris’ complaint.
Art Franklin, Bishop Long’s representative issued the following statement after the 4th lawsuit emerged.
“Our position about the lawsuits has not changed. Bishop Long categorically deny the charges. 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.”

This really is getting a little bit ridiculous. Not to be crass but can we get them all to file at one time. I joked the other day but now this REALLY IS starting to feel like the Tiger Woods situation all over again. Just yesterday, the attorney of the plaintiffs BJ Bernstein released rather suspect and suggestive (but not explicit) pictures of Bishop Long that allegedly were sent to this 4th young man. However, because of plaintiff Maurice Robinson’s arrest and charge for breaking into Bishop Long’s office, some folks are second guessing the use of the pictures as evidence claiming that those pictures could have been sent after the robbery since it’s believe Long’s cell phone and iPad were stolen in that burglary.

We also learned today that Bishop Long held a conference call with select members of his church, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, to speak to them about the allegations. According to CBS Atlanta who was on the phone for the call, Bishop Long said he had to be careful what he said because he wasn’t sure who was on the phone. Some quotes from the call:

“We will arise through this situation, and go forward, and we are moving forward,”
“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,”
“Know that I am also praying for the families and the young men who are accusing. I always operate in the spirit of love, and we are going to move through this.

It’s also been reported  that Bishop Long didn’t actually deny the allegations on the call.

Will this be the end of the lawsuits or is it only just beginning? Rumors are swirling around that there could be dozens that come forward to file suits or at the very least testify on the behalf of the other plaintiffs. As always, I’m paying attention and will keep you updated but this is going from bad to worse QUICKLY! Keep praying because as I’ve said before, regardless how this ends, it won’t be anything nice!

Bishop Long is scheduled to make a statement to his congregation on Sunday. It’s rumored that he will step down soon after his speech.  I’ll be watching.
Torrence