Comments on: A Third Lawsuit Filed Against Eddie Long

By: Regan DuCasse

Regan DuCasse — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:44:23 +0000

And Gordo, using church funds for something illicit is likely actionable as a crime too. Perhaps rescinding of tax exempt status, for example.

I’m sure Long would like this to go away and he doesn’t want to have to confront his congregants and try to explain THIS latest thing.

But he’s never been called to account for an exceptionally lavish lifestyle.
That alone should have given people pause.

By: Lou Donohoe

Lou Donohoe — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 01:51:43 +0000

Gordo: There is no crime, at least not in GA; these are civil charges. The men are claiming coercion, negligence and fraud on the part of Long. In effect he used his position and authority as pastor to extract sexual favors from them. Essentially a sexual harassment action.

If authorities can substantiate sexual behavior between Long and these young men in locations where they would have been underage, criminal charges could be pursued in those other jurisdictions.

By: Ben in Atlanta

Ben in Atlanta — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:21:44 +0000

The paper is the Atlanta Journal Constitution. (ajc.com) When two papers were published the morning paper was the Constitution and the evening paper was the Journal. Many refer to it as a rag but then again I work in TV news so I may have a little bias. (The one that’s quoted.)

By: gordo

gordo — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 23:47:59 +0000

Regan – I agree, I’m not defending him. He’s slime. We’ve always known that. But what, exactly, was the crime.

By: Regan DuCasse

Regan DuCasse — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 23:39:41 +0000

oops. Make that the Atlanta Journal Courier.
My bad.

By: Regan DuCasse

Regan DuCasse — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 23:32:50 +0000

Gordo, these were young men who didn’t have a father/mentor figure. Just like all the other pedo/ephebephiles of textbook pathology, their targets were the most vulnerable with the least means to fight back.
Long IS rich and powerful. He’s ambitious and at some point, these young people found themselves cast on a heap with other rejects, demoralized and forgotten.
Something that further exacerbates the problems of gay boys in particular.
Meanwhile, Long continues to get money, accolades and no one has a clue, much less will believe his victims.

Long is predatory in other ways. He lives like Croesus on his congregant’s donations. He does just the minimum for them to believe he’s doing good and charitable work, while justifying driving a late model Bentley. And living in a mansion.
Scott is right, these young people have nothing to gain really, to confront Long in this way. They will be maligned and dismissed as the one’s victimizing Long.
But his hypocrisy had to come to light. Just as it had to with Ted Haggard and Rekers.
They are ALL men who actively worked against gays and lesbian civil rights, while, as this proves, exploiting young gays for his own pleasure.
This is so despicable and wrong.
Unfortunately, like with the Catholic church, with Life Ministries and other churches that have had this same exposure: they’ll try to farm Long off, or say it’s a lapse that deserves he go and regroup at some resort.

But ultimately, these churches have NEVER cared about their young.
But about covering their asses, and avoiding criminal prosecution if not lawsuits.

I’m sure Long doesn’t want the intense scrutiny of the media and likely has little with which to defend himself.
I’d be interested to know what gay friendly reporter for the Atlanta Courier Journal Cynthia Tucker has to say about this.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 20:56:33 +0000

I sense a drip drip drip for a few more days and then the dam is going to burst on this guy.

I seriously doubt these lawyers would take these cases without some pretty solid evidence (that we haven’t seen yet).

I also find it hard to believe that three “straight”, young African American men would admit to performing these acts unless they really did happen. Culturally it’s just not cool in their world.

We’ve come a long way in acceptance but I don’t think we’re quite there yet with 21 year old black men.

By: gordo

gordo — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 20:39:19 +0000

I don’t get this – none of these men claim to have been underage. They aren’t claiming they were raped. What exactly is the basis for their lawsuit?