News outlets report that Bishop Eddie Long, who made headlines when he settled a sexual coercion lawsuit with several young men from his congregation, now wants nearly $1 million returned because three of the five accusers are in breach of contract. Jamal Parris, Spencer LeGrande and Centino Kemp allegedly violated terms of a confidentiality agreement outlined in the settlement with Long and his church, New Birth Missionary Baptist.
Parris and LeGrande participated in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in August and didn’t seem concerned about the risk of losing the money: “I’m going to tell the world—money does not buy happiness,” LeGrande said. “When you sleep at night, the problems are still there. The money stuff, who cares about the number…I feel like burning [the money].”
No legal documents have been filed in this process, but letters from Long’s lawyers have been sent to the accusers warning them of legal action. Long has consistently denied allegations since September 2010 of coercing the young men into sexual relationships, and he released a statement saying the agreement was made “to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry.”
