Lawsuits Should Be Dismissed At Close Of Business Tomorrow
Bishop Eddie Long is apparently settling OUTSIDE the courtroom. Although in earlier reports it was indicated that he would be going to trial, he missed that train.
“You ain’t messin’ with me. I shall rise again, and I ain’t going through this,” the Bishop uttered at his Easter Sunday sermon.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that both sides have reached an agreement.
The Bishop has paid an estimated $15 million to his four accusers. If you’re innocent of allegations wouldn’t it have been easier to prove in court? Or is there something missing…that unfortunately we’ll never know due to gag orders.
Barbara Marschalk, who represents New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and LongFellows Youth Academy, said she anticipates ” the lawsuits will be dismissed, with prejudice, by close of business tomorrow.”
B.J. Bernstein, who represents the four men who sued Long, New Birth and LongFellows, also confirmed the lawsuits had been settled.
Neither side would comment further and settlement terms were unknown.
According to Bernstein’s office, neither she nor the plaintiffs — Maurice Robinson, Jamal Parris, Anthony Flagg and Spencer LeGrande — would be available for an interview “on this matter, now or in the future. ”
I’m going to follow this closely and let you know when it’s officially OVER for the Bishop.
I’m wondering if the young men will get the apology that they’ve demanded. I’m guessing that a trial would have been way too MESSY for the Bishop to endure. I’m hearing in the rumor mill that this was the last straw and New Birth members are meeting this weekend to determine if their pastor should resign. I’m sure that the church members aren’t taking it too kindly that they’re paying for the Bishop’s MESS.
It took just a few accusations for the Catholic Church to have their whole abuse scandal, so will the black church receive the same type of backlash?
What are the implications that this will have on the black church overall? Will more sexually abused youth come forward?Do you think that Bishop Eddie Long will be able to move past this lawsuit?
