Bishop Eddie Long (1953–2017) was the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, who gained national prominence as a charismatic leader of a 25,000-member megachurch before becoming embroiled in a major sex scandal in 2010. The controversy, involving allegations of sexual coercion by young men in his congregation, significantly tarnished his reputation, although he never admitted wrongdoing and settled the cases out of court.
2010 Sexual Misconduct Lawsuits
- The Allegations: In September 2010, four young men—Anthony Flagg, Spencer LeGrande, Jamal Parris, and Maurice Robinson—filed civil lawsuits against Long. They alleged that Long, who was a vocal critic of homosexuality, used his position of power as a spiritual leader to coerce them into sexual relationships.
- Grooming and Bribery: The suits alleged that Long groomed the men, some of whom were members of the church’s “LongFellows Youth Academy,” by taking them on international trips, buying them cars, clothes, jewelry, and electronics, and offering them financial support.
- Coercion Tactics: The accusers claimed Long used his authority to manipulate them, with some describing being pressured into sexual acts, including on trips to places like Kenya and the Bahamas.
- Settlement: In May 2011, Long reached an out-of-court settlement with the accusers for an undisclosed amount. A fifth accuser, Centino Kemp, also reached a settlement.
- Denial: Despite the settlement, Long consistently denied the allegations, proclaiming his innocence and comparing himself to David fighting Goliath.
Context and Other Controversies
- Homophobia: Long was known for his virulent opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, often calling homosexuality a “manifestation of the fallen man” and a “spiritual abortion”. He led a 2004 march in Atlanta to protest same-sex marriage.
- Lavish Lifestyle: Long was frequently criticized for his extravagant, high-profile lifestyle, which included a $1 million home, a Bentley, and a $3 million salary/benefits package between 1997 and 2000.
- Senate Investigation: In 2007, a U.S. Senate Committee investigated the financial records of his ministry, although the investigation concluded without a finding of wrongdoing.
Aftermath and Death
- Impact on Ministry: Following the scandal, New Birth saw a significant decline in attendance, and in 2011, Long announced he was taking a leave of absence to work on his marriage after his wife, Vanessa Long, filed for divorce (a petition she later withdrew).
- Death: Long died on January 15, 2017, at age 63 from an aggressive form of cancer.
- Posthumous Impact: After his death, his accusers announced they were writing a book titled Foursaken to detail their experiences, arguing that the settlement had unfairly silenced them.
Despite the scandal, many of his followers continued to support him, and he remained the pastor of New Birth until his death.