Eddie Long denies claims of seduction in court documents

Bishop Eddie Long has admitted in court documents that he took four young men on trips with him but denies their claims that he seduced them.

The New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor filed responses to each of the four lawsuits in Dekalb County State Court on Monday. Prior to that, he refused to address the specific complaints outside of court.

There was never any sexual contact between Long and the men, the filings state, according to FOX 5 News.

Lawsuits were filed in September against the megachurch pastor. Four young men – now in their early twenties – claim they were seduced by Long when they were teens (from 16 to 18 years of age). They allege that the preacher, who was like a father figure to them, took them on overnight trips, gave them money and lavish gifts, coerced them into engaging in sexual acts, and abused his spiritual authority.

On Sunday, dozens of protesters rallied in Atlanta, Georgia, demanding that the pastor resign. Among the participants was Reuben Armstrong, author of Snakes in the Pulpit, who has long criticised the New Birth pastor for his prosperity gospel teaching and accused him of having homosexual relationships.

The rally was led by Prophet H Walker of True Light Pentecostal Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Long admitted in the official responses that he was a mentor to the young men along with others who had been without a male role model and that they called him "Daddy", "Bishop" and "Granddaddy".

He said he had occasionally shared a room with members of his congregation but stated that the claims of sexual misconduct were "not true".

He admitted to giving the young men gifts and helping them financially but noted that he routinely paid for expenses for members of the church, the filings state.

Since the lawsuits were filed, Long has been largely supported by his 25,000-strong congregation. He received their applause and affirmation as he told them that the man being portrayed in the lawsuits and in the media was not him.

He has painted the public battle as a "David v. Goliath" fight.

His spokesman, Art Franklin, told CNN that the lawsuits are "a shakedown for money by men with some serious credibility issues."