While Morris faced his criminal proceedings, he had also engaged Gateway Church in a legal battle over retirement payments. Prior to his resignation, Morris had been promised $800,000 a year in retirement payments until his 70th birthday and $600,000 every year after that for as long as he or his wife lived.
However, Gateway Church argued that Morris had violated the terms of his employment through his criminal actions and had thus forfeited future payments.
Now, Gateway and Morris have agreed to dismiss the proceedings without prejudice, with each party covering their own legal expenses.
While this case has been settled, other legal battles involving Morris and Gateway continue. These include a $1 million defamation lawsuit filed by Cindy Clemishire against Morris, Gateway, and several current and former elders of the church, and a class action lawsuit against Gateway Church by former members that accuses the church of misusing millions in donations. Gateway Church has denied these allegations.
ChurchLeaders has reached out to Gateway Church for comment and will update this article in the event of a response.
