According to the Atlanta Journal, one of Pastor Eddie Long’s accusers was recently charged with burglarizing Long’s megachurch.
The incident occurred on June 13 when two thieves were caught on surveillance video using a master key to enter Bishop’s private office at New Birth Baptist Church on Panthersville Road in Decatur, Georgia.
At the time police believed the burglary was an inside job.
The thieves stole an iPad, iPhone and other items totaling $1,300 according to the AJC. The master key, which was taken from a secretary’s desk on June 11, reappeared mysteriously 4 days later.
On June 23rd, police arrested Anthony Boyd, 19, of Decatur, and Maurice Robinson, 20, and charged them with burglary. Robinson is one of two men who filed lawsuits accusing Pastor Long of coercing them into having sex with him on trips out of town.
The other plaintiff is Anthony Flagg, 21, who said he began having intimate relations with Long at age 16, which is the legal age of consent in Georgia. Flagg was given lavish gifts by Long including a Mustang sports car.
The suit alleges Long began to spend personal time with Robinson when he was 15 years old.
Pastor Long’s attorney, Craig Gillen, adamantly denied the allegations.
“It is unfortunate that these two young men have chosen to take this course of action.”
Both Flagg and Robinson are seeking a trial by jury and unspecified monetary damages.
Their attorney, B.J. Bernstein, claims to have emails, text messages and photographs that confirm relationships of a personal nature existed between the men and Long, according to the AJC.
“It’s not just these two. There are young men around him at all times,” said Bernstein. “There are kids at risk now.”
Bernstein said Robinson burglarized the church out of frustration after learning that Pastor Long had also been intimate with Flagg and other young men in the church.
“He lashed out,” Bernstein said. “But if it weren’t for that act, we wouldn’t know about this. He talked to his friends and learned Long had other ‘spiritual sons.’”
Bishop Eddie Long serves as a “spiritual adviser” to a number of Atlanta celebrities and VIPs, including singer Mariah Carey, comedian chris Tucker, singer Usher, rapper Ludacris and local radio personality Frank Ski.
This post was edited on Sept. 22, 2010 at 12:52 a.m.