By Shelia M. Poole
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
April 21, 2011
http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/new-birth-settlement-could-920500.html?cxtype=rss_news_128746
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| Four young men have sued Long, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and the LongFellows Youth Academy alleging Long coerced them into having sexual relations. The minister has denied the allegations. |
WSB-TV is reporting that mediation could be close to an end in the Bishop Eddie Long sexual misconduct cases.
According to Tom Jones of WSB, the parties have held marathon mediation sessions and are close to an agreement.
Four young men have sued Long, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and the LongFellows Youth Academy alleging Long coerced them into having sexual relations. Last year all parties agreed to mediation. An agreement would avoid a lengthy and costly trial. If an agreement isn't reached, the case could go to trial this summer.
"We don't have anything to comment about the status of the cases," said Art Franklin, a spokesman for Long. The attorney who represents the young men could not be reached for comment.
Jones reported that marathon sessions were suggested because some involved in the case didn't want it go past Easter. WSB also reported there was apparently one major obstacle preventing a resolution but that appears to have been settled and both sides will are working on resolving the remaining issues.
The sides met in February for mediation talks but an agreement was not reached.
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