ATLANTA,None — A fourth young male member of Bishop Eddie Long's megachurch says the prominent pastor coerced him into a sexual relationship.
A lawsuit was filed by Spencer LeGrande, a member of New Birth Charlotte. New Birth Charlotte is a satellite church run by Long in Charlotte, N.C. The lawsuit said Long told LeGrande "I will be your dad" and invited the 17-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.
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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.
The complaint, filed in DeKalb State Court, comes after three other men filed lawsuits on Tuesday and Wednesday saying they were courtesy B.J. Bernstein Eddie Long Cell Phone Picture 2 Eddie Long Cell Phone Picture 2 SLIDESHOW: Plaintiffs' Attorney Releases Photos 17- and 18-year-old members of the church when they say Long abused his spiritual authority to seduce them with cars, money, clothes, jewelry, international trips and access to celebrities.
A spokesman for Bishop Long released a statement Friday afternoon. ""Our position about the lawsuits has not changed. Bishop Long categorically deny the charges. We believe that it is unfortunate the young men have chosen to take this course of action. The defense team will review the complaints and respond accordingly at the appropriate time and in the appropriate forum," the statement read.
A Channel 2 Action News crew spotted the embattled pastor leaving his home Friday morning.
Long has avoided the public eye since the former New Birth Missionary Baptist Church members filed lawsuits earlier this week.
At about 9:30 a.m., Channel 2 Action News reporter Mike Petchenik saw a black Range Rover peel out and head out of Long's neighborhood. It was the first confirmed sighting of the pastor since the allegations came to light.
The same Range Rover that a Channel 2 Action News crew shot arriving to Long's Lithonia home Thursday afternoon left abruptly Friday morning and headed in the direction of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Channel 2 Action News confirmed the driver was Long.
Long canceled a radio appearance on the Tom Joyner Morning Show on Thursday.
Instead, his lawyer, Craig Gillen, went on the show and read a statement from Long. His lawyer also said Long would wait until Sunday services at New Birth to speak publicly about the accusations.
Long has repeatedly denied the allegations. ""I have been through storms and my faith has always sustained me. I am anxious to respond directly to these false allegations and I will do so. However, my lawyers have counseled patience at this time. But let me be clear; the charges against me and New Birth are false," Long said in a statement on Thursday.
Previous Stories: September 24, 2010: Statement From Bishop Eddie Long September 24, 2010: Bishop Eddie Long Seen Leaving Home September 24, 2010: Vehicles, Security Race To Bishop Long's Home September 22, 2010: 3rd Lawsuit Filed Against Bishop Long In Sex Scandal
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