The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting that New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is the focus of yet another lawsuit.
Tama Colson, a former employee of New Birth, claims a male supervisor showed her cell phone photos of male genitalia. When she complained, Colson found herself harassed further, demoted, and later discharged from employment, according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Atlanta.
While Bishop Eddie Long is not named in this lawsuit, it does not serve his image or the church's image well. This lawsuit is number six that names Bishop Long or New Birth as a defendant in the recent weeks.
Colson, who also attended New Birth with her family, said in the suit that she was hired by the church in August 1998 as an audio engineer and was eventually promoted to duplication manager, overseeing the reproduction of broadcasts of New Birth services.
The lawsuit alleges that in October 2009, a male supervisor in the church's television department showed her a picture of a sex organ on his cellphone. Colson said she was "horrified" and asked the supervisor "what the h*** is your problem?" She said he grinned and walked away.
In May 2010, the suit alleges, Colson learned that her department was going to be placed under the control of the television department, where the male supervisor worked. She asked to be transferred out of that department or warned that she would resign. A church elder convinced her to stay, but in June she found out that the man would be her boss. She said he began a "campaign of torment" against her, including coming into her office and staring.
She complained and alleges she was later demoted to secretary. Eventually, she claimed, she was discharged from the job.
The lawsuit claims the church was aware of previous incidents between the supervisor and female employees and congregants but never took corrective action.
The suit seeks an unspecified amount in damages.
With all of the negative publicity surrounding Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth Ministries, you would never believe that this ministry was and still is a pillar of the Atlanta community, providing services and outreach to the people of Atlanta and striving to change lives. Given the nature of the claims against Bishop Long and the church, it has been easy for some to reach a conclusion about the situation.
Cases like this involving sex and scandal don't just disappear and I don't believe that all the facts are ever revealed to the public. I will say that some of the things that I have seen and heard are quite polarizing and will continue to be when presented to a jury if the cases reach that step.
I hope folks are not taking advantage of the legal troubles plaguing New Birth and dealing a fatal blow to a ministry that is clearly struggling to maintain its image in the public eye.
With all of the negative publicity surrounding Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth Ministries, you would never believe that this ministry was and still is a pillar of the Atlanta community, providing services and outreach to the people of Atlanta and striving to change lives. Given the nature of the claims against Bishop Long and the church, it has been easy for some to reach a conclusion about the situation.
Cases like this involving sex and scandal don't just disappear and I don't believe that all the facts are ever revealed to the public. I will say that some of the things that I have seen and heard are quite polarizing and will continue to be when presented to a jury if the cases reach that step.
I hope folks are not taking advantage of the legal troubles plaguing New Birth and dealing a fatal blow to a ministry that is clearly struggling to maintain its image in the public eye.