Eddie Long Stays "Mum" on Sexual Allegations

If you were hoping for a prolonged explanation - a rebuttal to the sexual allegations against Eddie Long, then you are probably quite disappointed. On Sunday, September 26, 2010, Bishop Eddie Long spoke to his congregation at an 8am service. The service was filled with engaging rhetoric and allusions to the present scandal-but no concrete admission or denial.

Much of his initial speech was tied to "those who seek to attack the righteous." Though Bishop Eddie Long never clearly defined exactly who those righteous individuals are, Long made it clear that it is he who is "under attack."

It has been speculated in several media sources Eddie Long was planning to step down from his position at New Birth Missionary Church as a result of the four lawsuits lodged against him. Long also made it clear during his vibrant speech, that he plans on assuming his position at the pulpit next week. But this isn't necessarily the vibrant speech that the world has been waiting for.

At 10 AM, a news conference was scheduled in which Eddie Long was set to answer questions from various members of the press, in addition to addressing the allegations directly. But the tables were immediately turned, and the clergyman announced that he would not be answering any questions - and furthermore, would not be making any sort of direct statement regarding the allegations - under the advisement of his legal team.

(Interestingly, one man in his entourage standing behind him at the "conference" was wearing a Support Eddie Long T-shirt. How, when, and where were these T-shirts made and distributed?)

If Eddie Long was simply going to defer his statement at the behest of his lawyers, then this specific announcement could have been made days ago when he was scheduled to appear on the Tom Joyner Morning Show.

What does Long's silence really mean? Is it possible that the Reverend is simply utilizing a stalling tactic? Does BJ Bernstein have more plaintiffs up her sleeve? If so, it is quite possible that Bishop Eddie Long is merely using this "quiet time" to reach out to those who have not yet come forward. Then there is the matter of child abuse. According to media reports, investigators are still trying to determine the exact time line for all of the events named. If any sexual misconduct occurred while these young men were under the age of consent, the civil suit could very easily turn into a nasty criminal one. Perhaps this too, is another reason why Eddie Long's lips are tightly sealed. (Insert crude joke here.)

SOURCES:

www.cnn.com
www.fox.com