Accused Pastor Seeks Return of Settlement Funds For Breach of Confidentiality Agreement

As previously reported, last May prominent Atlanta (GA) pastor Bishop Eddie Long, his LongFellows Youth Academy and his New Birth Missionary Baptist Church settled four civil lawsuits by men who alleged that Long used his spiritual authority to coerce young male members and employees of his mega-church into sexual relationships.  The settlement agreements contained confidentiality agreements.  Last month, nevertheless, in an interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution, two of the four men spoke about their charges against Long.  Now, according to last Friday's Atlanta Journal Constitution, Long and his church are seeking return of at least $900,000 from 3 of the plaintiffs who settled on the ground that they violated terms of the confidentiality agreement that was part of the settlement.