Bishop Eddie Long, a well-known preacher in Atlanta, has had lawsuits filed against him by three men, who were 17 or 18 years old at the time, alleging they were coerced into sexual liaisons by the pastor, The New Zealand Herald reported today.
Father of four Bishop Long built one of America's most widely known black megachurches, the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
He came to New Zealand with his wife in October 2003 after being invited by Bishop Tamaki to speak to Destiny Church members.
Bishop Tamaki referred to him as his "spiritual father" in his book Bishop Brian Tamaki - More Than Meets The Eye.
He described how their "spirits connected without having said a word" when the two met in 2002.
Bishop Tamaki is expected to make a comment today.
