Report: Settlement talks with Bishop Eddie Long rocky

Print
E-mail

By Ty Tagami

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The settlement negotiations in lawsuits against Bishop Eddie Long were speeding along but may have hit some bumps.

Enlarge photo

Bishop Eddie Long preaches on Good Friday at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Four young men have sued Long, the church and the LongFellows Youth Academy alleging Long coerced them into having sexual relations. The parties have been involved in mediation.

newbirth.org Bishop Eddie Long preaches on Good Friday at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Four young men have sued Long, the church and the LongFellows Youth Academy alleging Long coerced them into having sexual relations. The parties have been involved in mediation.

More DeKalb County news »

The judge in the case told Channel 2 Action News that he is scheduling trial for late summer, the TV station reported Thursday. The threat of a trial appears to conflict with an earlier statement by State Court Judge Johnny Panos.

Around Easter, Panos said that the major obstacles to settlement had been resolved and that the parties were discussing small details.

Four young men have accused Long, the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, of sexual coercion. He has denied the allegations.

New Birth spokesman Art Franklin declined to comment when reached by the AJC on Thursday.

--Staff writer Shelia M. Poole contributed to this article.