Four young men who accused a Georgia megachurch pastor, Bishop Eddie Long, of sexual misconduct have “resolved” their lawsuit.The news came Thursday from attorneys representing both sides. The settlement of the case quietly ends a legal complaint that ignited scrutiny and media attention to a powerful national religious leader who seemingly had anti-gay attitudes and was homophobic.Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. However, both sides agree that the civil suits filed against Long, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, would not proceed.
According to the four young men, Long allegedly coerced them into intimate sexual acts including massages, masturbation and oral sex. Allegedly he used gifts such as cars, cash and travel domestically and abroad when they were 17 to coerce the men.
Long had denied the allegations, and federal and state authorities didn’t investigate because Georgia’s age of consent is 16.
Long, a 58-year-old married father of four, leads a 25,000-member congregation and heads an international televangelist empire. He has also championed traditional family values and has been an outspoken opponent of gay marriage.
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