Pastor of ‘Megachurch’ Eddie Long Accused of Sexual Offences by Congregation Members

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ATLANTA (GaeaTimes.com) — Eddie Long, a pastor of a ‘megachurch’ in Atlanta is accused of molesting two young members of his congregation. The duo, unidentified due to legal reasons, has filed a lawsuit against the Bishop demanding stern action.

Craig Gillen, lawyer of Long said that the Bishop categorically denies the allegations. ‘We find it unfortunate that these two young men would take this course of action,’ he added.

Long, is the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The 250-acre site hosts a $50 million cathedral that accommodates 10,000 seats and more than 40 ministries. It also includes Longfellows Youth Academy for young men aged 13 to 18.

The pair’s lawsuit states that Long seduced them with luxury things such as clothes, jewelry, money and offered international trips and access to celebrities.

The pair’s lawyer B.J. Bernstein said: ‘Long has utilized his spiritual authority to coerce certain young male members… into engaging in sexual acts and relationships for his own personal sexual grafitication.’

On the contrary, Gillen suggested a foul play for the lawsuit against Long. According to him, the two men, now aged 20 and 21 made the allegation because they has been charged with a break-in at Eddie Long’s office in June.

Meanwhile, the case turns complicated as the two men were over the legal age of consent in the state of Georgia- 15, when they filed the case of alleged offences that happened three years back.

Eddie Long was appointed pastor of New Birth in 1987. The church, which had 150 members by that time currently houses more than 25,000 members including famous people from different fraternities.