REPORT: FOURTH Sex Abuse Lawsuit Filed Against Eddie Long; "Two Others" Being Prepared

As reported by Rod 2.0 and now confirmed by the Associated Press and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, a fourth man as filed a lawsuit alleging sexual coercion  against suburban Atlanta-based anti-gay mega-church pastor Eddie Long. Other legal actions are reportedly in the pipeline. "At least two other cases are being prepared," a source close to the investigation tells Rod 2.0.

The fourth and latest lawsuit was filed by Spencer LeGrande, a member of New Birth Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina. New Birth Charlotte is a satellite church operated by Long. The allegations are similar to the two actions filed Tuesday and  third suit filed Wednesday ... except LeGrande alleges that Long drugged him with a sleeping pill or another narcotic.

"The lawsuit said Long told LeGrande 'I will be your dad' and invited the [16-year-old] to journey to Kenya with him in July 2005. LeGrande said that Long gave him a sleeping pill on that trip and that the two engaged in sexual acts. The lawsuit claims Long convinced LeGrande that 'engaging in a sexual relationship was a healthy component of his spiritual life,' the complaint said. LeGrande, now 22, said the two continued their relationship on a February 2006 trip to South Africa and after he moved to Atlanta at Long's encouragement. He said that Long also instructed him not to have girlfriends, but that he pulled away in the spring of 2009 after he became "disillusioned." He moved back to Charlotte in October, it said."

''There may be more to the 'sleeping pill' allegations," the source close to the lawsuits tells R20. "We are not sure if that is what it was."

In the first two suits filed Tuesday, Anthony Flagg and  Maurice Robinson claimed Long "coerced" them and numerous young men "into engaging in sexual acts and relationships for his own personal sexual gratification."  The suits allege Long used church funds to give them cash, gifts and cars. Read the complaints HERE and HERE.

Twenty-three-year-old Jamal Parris filed the third lawsuit  against the anti-gay mega-church pastor. Parris joined the church in 2001 when he was 14 years old and "within two weeks, Long met Parris and gave Parris his personal cell phone number."  Long reportedly used church funds to give money, gifts and trips to induce a sexual relationship with Parris and encouraged Parris to call him “Daddy”.  Read the complaint HERE.

The embattled pastor canceled a proposed press conference and radio interviews Thursday morning, after the third lawsuit was announced and "Pastors with iPhones" photos were released, showing Long modeling lycra muscle tees and apparently sent to select young men in his congregation.

Pastors from across Atlanta gathered to pray for Bishop Eddie Long this afternoon. Organizers say it was "not about hearing the legal issues" surrounding Eddie Long but to "respond" to the crisis. No prayers for the alleged victims were mentioned.

Via his attorney and church spokesmen, Eddie Long has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. On Sunday, Long is expected  to deliver his first public message since the accusations emerged. AOL Black Voices and Bossip report that Long will step down on Sunday ...

The website for New Birth Missionary Baptist Church was down on Tuesday and much of Wednesday. The church website is back online but now is password protected.

Sources close to the cases tell Rod 2.0 the FBI is involved and investigating the financial angle of the case. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is reportedly interviewing the plaintiffs and witnesses. More details as they develop ...

Comments

[Nathan James]

"at least two other cases are being prepared..."

Yet people still defend this man who has done so much to promote anti-gay hatred. Long used his pulpit to sermonize against us, and against himself, most of all. It's a sorry, sad shame his parishioners don't seem to have eyes to see what is going on right in front of them.

[Derrick from Philly]

Move out the way, Tiger.

[Son of Baldwin]

Tell the story, Rod!

[Bill]

@ Derrick from Philly.. amen- at least Tiger was with consenting adults capable of making such decisions.

[Sister_Ally]

Is it wrong that I am enjoying watching this man fall?

I do pray for the children involved, though.

[Fred]

Can someone explain to me WHY Eddie would encourage the boys not to have girlfriends? Wouldn't that have made it even more obvious since he had these boys work for him at the church? Single black young boys working at New Birth and none of them are interested in women? Was he turning New Birth into a gay bathhouse????

[nathans]

Those boys are all telling lies. eddie was building a basketball team and saving them from going down on the wrong meat...( I mean fish)

[Keith]

Rod, can't wait for you to get the documents on the new lawsuit. The details are always more shocking than what we are hearing in the news.

[Sampson]

This is really sad...It means that we need to have more dialogue in the African American community...it's a shame that these pastors and politicians lead these anti-gay platforms and crusades and get caught with their pants down.

[Black Pegasus]

WoW! a 4th guy has emerged?

SMH..Looks like "Eddie Longs for Cock" after all..Tisk Tisk LOL

[mike]

Oh okay so people have nothing better than to gossip or talk, there are other things more important that this. Why is it always hate and then you all talk about you are Saved. If this is the god you sever then I don't want that one. I can see why others people run to other faiths. You got women Bishops and to much crap in the church. I'm glad I don't go to church and if I was in your church I would be lost.

Learn to pray if you all do it and be quite. If we want rights then instead of bashing then why not be the real church people and live by the bible....Yet if you can:

[Nevets Nonnac]

I am ENRAGED.

We go through enough to survive in this society as African American men, and to have a tired-assed "minister" exploit these young men makes me wanna bust his head and think about heaven later.

[Kevin Perez]

Oh, give me a break. Maybe the Black "community" doesn't need dialogue, but needs to get its head out of its ass. It's more or less the same with the Latino community..... Tt's not the lack of dialouge, it's just they don't effin' care enough and would rather live in their delusional world of denial.

[A Coleman]

Congregations need to hold their clergy responsible.
I left my church and choir (in protest) against a homophobic pastor (with 2 gay sons, one of whom was his minister of music), and after repeated pleas from the choir to soften his stance, which he refused to do, the choir disbanded, and forced him into early retirement.

[Joey Bahamas]

Where's Laverne? I need a chuckle...where you at Gur!?

[Chitown Kev]

Keep it coming Rod, just keep it coming.

[Justin]

Ba da ba ba ba, I'm lovin' it!

[Brandon T]

Weeeeee fell down into each other's laps! LOL I'll bet that'll be Bishop Eddie Long's new theme! I'm just tired of hearing about how this man did these young men wrong. I'm tired of how black people are bashing homosexuality. When will the calamity end? I guess it'll end when I find the little red button that leads to a nuclear bomb. I'm like ready to blow this place up and start anew with a new way to live: hands clean and respectful.

[Black Pegasus]

MediaFakeOut is reporting that there may be a possible Sex Tape recorded on a cell phone..They claim one of the victims has it in his possession...

Lawd! LOL

[FREELEO]

Totally unsubstantiated rumor has that he will be resigning from his post tomorrow. Pop champagne...

[Mango Lucy]

I feel for the children who were molested. Eddie Long is not a nice guy and needs to be held accountable.