CHURCH MEMBERS WANT BISHOP OUT AFTER SEX CASE SETTLEMENT

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When this sex scandal broke last year members said they didn’t want to push the Bishop out until they knew all the details. Well now that he’s settled the case with the four victims, a growing group of church members say he needs to leave! A person close to the group says they believe his settlement means he’s guilty of sexually abusing the young men. They’re also claiming he settled to avoid talking about all the scandalous details in the case.

Meanwhile, Barbara Marschalk, who represents New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and LongFellows Youth Academy, tells the AJC.com that she anticipates “the lawsuits will be dismissed, with prejudice, by close of business today.”

B.J. Bernstein, who reps the 4 men who sued the pastor says neither side would talk about the settlement terms but BMS is on the case!

Settlement talks weren’t going so well for Atlanta mega church leader until the $$ got better. BMS toldya weeks ago church members close to the Bishop Eddie Long sexual misconduct case say the young men were offered $4 million dollars to settle the sexual lawsuit. But as we told you they were holding out for a public apology until more money hit the table.

Long and his lawyers upped the offer WITH an apology behind closed doors only. The apology had been the sticking point in the past. Some of them wanted a public apology.

The young men had been demanding $20 million dollars from Long & the church. BMS has been told the guys settled for $15 million…that’s $3.6 million each. Depending on the fee arrangements with the lawyers – the boys lawyers could get up to 50% of the settlement. The young men will likely take home $1.3 million dollars each. BMS has also been told the insurance company likely paid up to $13 million dollars. So the church is likely out of $2 million dollars.

As you may recall, 4 young men sued Long, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and the LongFellows Youth Academy alleging Long coerced them into having sexual relations. Long has admitted to hugging and giving the boys money, but he claims he did not rape them. Last year all parties agreed to mediation. An agreement keeps a lot of the dirt from being played out in court and a costly trial.

The one major obstacle had been some “type” of apology to the young men in public. Long we are told was furious and panicked at the possibility of apologizing to the young men in public. Two of the young men were holding out strongly for a public apology. Long’s people in the end won by getting them to accept a private apology behind closed doors and more money.

Should Bishop Eddie Long Resign? Should the congregation ask for his resignation? Should we try to heal and leave things as they are now?