Fourth man accuses Bishop Eddie Long of sex abuse

Eddie Long is the pastor of the almost 30,00 member church, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, GA near Atlanta.

Long embroiled in sex scandal
He made headlines earlier this week after three young male members of his church came forward with claims that the prominent pastor coerced them into performing sexual acts in exchange for lavish trips and presents.

Now, another young male follower is accusing the pastor of coercing him into a sexual relationship when he was 17-year-old, reports the Associated Press.

The three men, Maurice Robinson, Anthony Flagg and Jamal Parris, now all in their 20s, have filed separate lawsuits this week against Eddie Long, alleging that the Georgia mega-church pastor lavished them with expensive jewelry, a private plane and luxury hotel rooms, and then used his status as a spiritual leader to force them into sex, according to ABC News.

Fourth alleged victim emerges
Now, another young male follower is accusing the pastor of coercing him into a sexual relationship when he was 17-year-old, reports the Associated Press.

The alleged victim, Spencer LeGrande, now 22, has filed a lawsuit against Eddie Long in DeKalb County, Georgia, State Court, alleging the pastor coerced him into a sexual relationship during a July 2005 trip the two took to Africa, AP reports.

LeGrande is a member of New Birth Charlotte a satellite church in North Carolina that he and his mother helped Long found.

Engaged in sexual acts
While on an eight day trip in Kenya, the lawsuit says, Long gave LeGrande a sleeping pill one night when the youth told the pastor he was having difficulty going to sleep, and while sharing a bed with Long, the Pastor started to hug his teen follower, kissing and licking his lips and rubbing his chest against LeGrande’s.

LeGrande also alleges that he received an automobile, Dodge Intrepid, from Long and allegedly was told not to have a relationship with young women.

Long denies allegations
Meanwhile, Long has vehemently denied any wrongdoing through his lawyer and a Twitter posting.

He denied the latest allegations in a statement released by a spokesperson on his behalf.

“Our position about the lawsuits has not changed. Bishop Long categorically denies the charges,” said spokesman Art Franklin. “We believe that it is unfortunate the young men have chosen to take this course of action. The defence team will review the complaints and respond accordingly at the appropriate time and in the appropriate forum.”

Praying for his accusers
On Friday, in a conference call to parishioners, Long told other pastors, "We will arise through this situation, and go forward, and we are moving forward," according to CBS affiliate WGCL.

"I have never dealt with anything like this before. I have been under attack before, but everything else has been different levels and different challenges," he continued.

"Know that I am also praying for the families and the young men who are accusing. I always operate in the spirit of love, and we are going to move through this," he said.

Long is expected to address the allegations himself Sunday at his New Birth Missionary Baptist Church since the men accused him of having sexual relationships with them.