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Born in United States · Nationality American — Religion / sects / ideologues

Eddie Long

Documented profile covering 6 controversies, including “Promotion of Ephren Taylor at New Birth before investment scandal” and “Torah ceremony in which Long was called 'king', followed by apology”.

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Profile No. 2325 · Updated on 13 October 2026

6Documented controversies

11Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2009-2014

Promotion of Ephren Taylor at New Birth before investment scandal

Conviction — against a third party

Protagonist not prosecuted — these proceedings are not counted in their formal charges or convictions.

Eddie Long welcomed and introduced Ephren Taylor at investment seminars at New Birth. Congregants subsequently sued Long and the church, alleging that they invested after his endorsement and lost more than one million dollars. Plaintiffs also cited an internal memo to argue that the church had received a warning before the seminar. Taylor subsequently pleaded guilty in a large Ponzi scheme targeting hundreds of investors.

Role of the person profiled: Protagonist not prosecuted

Sources · 2

[1]
Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionFormer New Birth members sue Bishop Eddie LongPressHigh reliability
[2]
U.S. Department of JusticeEphren Taylor, II, Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Commit FraudProsecutor's statementPrimary source

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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2012

Torah ceremony in which Long was called 'king', followed by apology

No legal proceedings

During a service, preacher Ralph Messer wrapped Eddie Long in a Torah scroll, had him lifted on a chair and presented him as a king. Jewish and Messianic representatives condemned the ceremony as a disrespectful distortion of Jewish tradition.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Jewish Telegraphic AgencyBishop Eddie Long apologizes for Torah scroll ceremonyPressHigh reliability
[2]
Jewish Telegraphic AgencyMessianic groups condemn Torah ceremonyPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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2007-2011

Senate Finance Committee review of New Birth and Eddie Long Ministries

No legal proceedings

The Senate Finance Committee included New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Eddie L. Long Ministries in its review of six major media ministries, examining remuneration, benefits, related-party transactions and use of tax-exempt resources. Committee staff described Long's responses as incomplete.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
U.S. Senate Committee on FinanceGrassley Releases Review of Tax Issues Raised by Media-based MinistriesParliamentary recordPrimary source
[2]
U.S. Senate Committee on FinanceGrassley Update on Ministry ResponsesParliamentary recordPrimary source

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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2010-2011

Civil allegations of sexual coercion by young men, denial and confidential settlement

Civil / administrative proceedings

Four former members sued Eddie Long in 2010, alleging that he had used his pastoral influence, travel, jobs, gifts and money to pressure them into sexual relationships; a fifth accuser emerged during mediation. The cases were settled confidentially and dismissed with prejudice.

Attribution: Accused

Sources · 2

[1]
Los Angeles TimesBishop Eddie Long and accusers settlePressVery high reliability
[2]
Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionEddie Long case officially dismissedPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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2010-2011

Dispute over approximately $2 million property loan and repayment agreement

Civil / administrative proceedings

A bank sued West Indies Holding Co., with which Long was associated, to recover approximately 1.9 million dollars outstanding on a property loan. An agreement provided for repayment of the balance, interest, taxes and legal costs according to a schedule.

State of the evidence: Settlement
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionBishop Eddie Long settles property lawsuit over $2 million loanPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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2004-12

2004 march against same-sex marriage to Martin Luther King Jr. memorial site

No legal proceedings

Eddie Long led thousands of people in a march towards Martin Luther King Jr.'s burial site, one stated objective being support for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. LGBT organisations criticised use of King's legacy for a cause opposed to marriage equality.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Los Angeles TimesMarch Clouded by Stand on Gay UnionsPressVery high reliability
[2]
Los Angeles TimesKing March Stirs Debate Over Gay MarriagePressVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (1)

Martin Luther1 documented reference
- 2004 march against same-sex marriage to Martin Luther King Jr. memorial site Source ↗

III. Has something changed?

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