A tearful Bishop Eddie Long recently revealed to his congregation that he’d considered suicide. The longtime leader of New Birth...
Centino Kemp, who was identified as the fifth accuser in the Eddie Long sex scandal that involved four young men suing the world-known preacher and founder of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church for sexual coercion, has written a book about his experience being "seduced by a powerful religious figure who becomes not only the father figure he never had, but also his lover."
Kemp, 22, who is openly gay, posted today to his Facebook page a synopsis of an autobiography he co-wrote titled, "The First Lady."
The synopsis reads:
"The First Lady" is the story of Centino Kemp. A talented young man born in the Bahamas, it explores Kemp's upbringing in a highly Christian family. As a youth, he longs to find the closeness with his family that is sorely missing all while coping with the absence of his father. Centino's adverse relationships with the male figures in his life or lack of, combined with the in and out role of his mother as she chased after men during his adolescence, led to his struggles with his own sexuality.
Eddie Long, founder of the megachurch New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, issued a statement today on the church's website saying he will abide by the confidentiality agreement reached in a settlement with four men who sued him for sexual coercion. Two of the men recently spoke to Atlanta reporters, apparently defying the agreement.
The complete statement from Long posted on New Birth's website today:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB-TV have partnered up to bring some eye-opening details of the Eddie Long gay sex scandal that rocked Atlanta and the nation when four men sued the founder of megachurch New Birth Missionary Baptist Church for using his power to coerce them into sexual relationships.
In an AJC story posted to its website today, reporter Christian Boone details the interview with two of Long's accusers — Jamal Parris, 24, and Spencer LeGrande, 23 —that took place in Miami. The entire story will be posted at approximately 5 p.m. on the AJC's website and WSB-TV will broadcast its story also at 5 p.m.
By speaking out, notes the AJC, the two men risk a monetary settlement reached with Long in May.
“The truth should’ve set [us] free,” said Parris. “I thought I could cover the pain up. I thought I could move, start over and everything would go away. I was terribly wrong. I’m living a lifestyle meant to crash.”
If there was any doubt that the alleged fifth accuser in the Eddie Long gay sex scandal is gay, there is no doubt now.
Centino Kemp, who is believed to be the fifth young man to accuse Long of using his position as head of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church to sexually coerce them in exchange for lavish gifts and exotic trips, appeared on Kandi Koated Nights on Wednesday.
The show, hosted by Kandi Burruss, the Grammy-award winner and star of "Real Housewives of Atlanta," brought Kemp onto the show to discuss what she always talks about on her show — sex.
Bishop Eddie Long, head of megachurch New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, has apparently decided to settle lawsuits brought by four young men who alleged he sexually coerced them as teens.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported today that the attorney for New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and LongFellow Academy, also named in the lawsuits, said the lawsuits “will be dismissed, with prejudice, by close of business tomorrow.”
On Thursday, a "Resolution Statement" was posted on New Birth's website that read:
"After a series of discussions, all parties involved have decided to resolve the civil cases out of court. This decision was made to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry.
"As is usually the case when civil lawsuits resolve out of court, we cannot discuss any details regarding the resolution or the resolution process, as they are confidential.
"This resolution is the most reasonable road for everyone to travel."
In a statement from the attorney representing the the four male clients:
"Regarding the lawsuits filed against Bishop Eddie Long, New Birth Baptist Church and the Longfellow Academy, plaintiffs' attorney BJ Bernstein's only comment is as follows: 'The matter has been resolved.'
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB-TV are reporting that mediation between Bishop Eddie Long and the four young men who have sued him for sexual misconduct could be ending soon.
In a story posted April 21, the AJC stated an agreement may soon come from the mediation sessions between Long, founder of megachurch New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, which would avoid a trial.
The four men who filed suit against Long in September — Anthony Flagg, 21; Maurice Robinson, 20; Jamal Parris, 23; and Spencer LeGrande, 22 — said they were personally mentored by Long when they were members of New Birth and his LongFellows Youth Academy. They said in court documents that Long took them on lavish trips to places such as Kenya and New Zealand, and bestowed on them extravagant gifts including jewelry and cars.
Long has denied all accusations.