Will Bishop Eddie Long Have a Lighter Bankbook After Sex Abuse Allegations?

The discussion centered around "Bishop Long allegedly using his influence, trips and gifts to coerce four young men into having sex," according to the AJC.

Lawyers for both Long and the four young men accusing Long of the sexual abuse met with Judge Johnny Panos and set a mediation session for February and a pre-trial conference for July.

Panos said that "both sides seemed open for discussion for a quick resolution of the case whether trial or a negotiated settlement," according to AJC.

Behind closed doors is most likely how this case will end. Bishop Long can certainly afford to pay a settlement, according to AJC, and chances are this will be the end of these cases. The words "settlement and negotiations," seem to be pointing in that direction.

He looks like a man who is very wealthy. According to CNN he has a million dollar mansion and a Bentley, there is more where that came from without a doubt, with his million dollar a year salary from the church's corporation

Because the young men were of consensual age in the State of Georgia when Bishop Long allegedly performed sexual acts with them, there is no legal grounds for arrest, according to CBS News.

The New Birth Missionary Church continues to embrace Bishop Long as their leader, which means he will more than likely suffer few consequences for these alleged actions, accept maybe for some money, which he can just replace. According to the EuroWeb website, Bishop Long's church members are standing behind him..

So when this is all said and done, it appears as if there is a good chance that nothing has changed for Bishop Long. As long as his church members keep him at the pulpit, his life can go on as usual. Does this put other young boys at risk? Unfortunately it appears that no one is thinking about this, or it may just be that nobody cares.

Has Bishop Eddie Long become that powerful to his church and his members that these alleged behaviors can be overlooked?

The only good that may have come out of this is that the publicity around these sexual abuse allegations may act as a warning to mother's of young boys in Bishop Long's church.

They have been informed through the media about the alleged sexual abuse cases of Long and hopefully this will act as a warning to mother's of the future young boys that Bishop Long may "take under his wing."

Reference: AJC, CBS News, EuroWeb, CNN