Bishop Eddie Long’s ex-wife claimed in divorce papers that he was physically abusive, alleging he beat her when she was seven-and-a-half months pregnant with the couple’s only child, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Dabara S. Houston said she was the victim of “cruel treatment” and was afraid of Long’s “violent and vicious temper,” according to Fulton County Superior Court records. She and her son “had to flee [the couple's Fairburn home] in order to ensure their safety,” the documents say.
The couple married in 1981 and separated after a couple years, according to the documents. Long’s first wife made the abuse allegation in a counterclaim after he petitioned for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
In a statement to the AJC Wednesday afternoon, Long’s attorney Craig Gillen said, “The allegations of a divorce pleading that is nearly 30 years old are absolutely ‘not true.’ It’s offensive and disappointing that the media would drag up these outrageous allegations and make them a part of their reporting.”
Four young men have accused Long, the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, of sexual coercion. He has denied the men’s allegations through a spokesman and has told his congregation he plans to “vigorously” fight the charges.
Besides sexual coercion, the lawsuits against Long claim he used his pastoral influence to entice the men, taking them on international trips and lavishing them with gifts. Two have given television interviews in recent days.
Spencer LeGrande, the fourth man to sue, talked to Channel 2 Action News for an interview that aired Wednesday. LeGrande, a member of New Birth Charlotte, told Channel 2 that he decided to come forward with his story after he saw the first two lawsuits filed against Long.
LeGrande, 22, contacted B.J. Bernstein, the attorney for the others, immediately after. Bernstein is representing all four men who filed suits against Long.
“I wasn’t free until I came out with it,” LeGrande says in the television interview. He said he does not hate Long “because God doesn’t produce hate. I pray for everyone, especially the bishop, because he knows the truth.”
Bishop Eddie Long’s ex-wife claimed in divorce papers that he was physically abusive, alleging he beat her when she was seven-and-a-half months pregnant with the couple’s only child, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Dabara S. Houston said she was the victim of “cruel treatment” and was afraid of Long’s “violent and vicious temper,” according to Fulton County Superior Court records. She and her son “had to flee [the couple's Fairburn home] in order to ensure their safety,” the documents say.
The couple married in 1981 and separated after a couple years, according to the documents. Long’s first wife made the abuse allegation in a counterclaim after he petitioned for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
In a statement to the AJC Wednesday afternoon, Long’s attorney Craig Gillen said, “The allegations of a divorce pleading that is nearly 30 years old are absolutely ‘not true.’ It’s offensive and disappointing that the media would drag up these outrageous allegations and make them a part of their reporting.”
Four young men have accused Long, the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, of sexual coercion. He has denied the men’s allegations through a spokesman and has told his congregation he plans to “vigorously” fight the charges.
Besides sexual coercion, the lawsuits against Long claim he used his pastoral influence to entice the men, taking them on international trips and lavishing them with gifts. Two have given television interviews in recent days.
Spencer LeGrande, the fourth man to sue, talked to Channel 2 Action News for an interview that aired Wednesday. LeGrande, a member of New Birth Charlotte, told Channel 2 that he decided to come forward with his story after he saw the first two lawsuits filed against Long.
LeGrande, 22, contacted B.J. Bernstein, the attorney for the others, immediately after. Bernstein is representing all four men who filed suits against Long.
“I wasn’t free until I came out with it,” LeGrande says in the television interview. He said he does not hate Long “because God doesn’t produce hate. I pray for everyone, especially the bishop, because he knows the truth.”