Ted Haggard

In 2022, former members of Saint James Church accused Haggard of continuing to use methamphetamine and engaging in inappropriate physical or sexual behaviour towards young men; one witness had been a minor at the time of the alleged events in 2019. Other allegations concerned sexually explicit messages.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Grant Haas, a former member of New Life Church, alleged in 2009 that Haggard had engaged in non-consensual sexual behaviour towards him when he was a young adult. Haggard acknowledged an "inappropriate" relationship but maintained that there had been no physical contact. The church had reached an agreement worth approximately $179,000 covering education and counselling, among other things, with a clause restricting public statements.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Mike Jones, a male escort from Denver, alleged that Ted Haggard had regularly paid him for sex over approximately three years. Haggard, then president of the National Association of Evangelicals and an opponent of same-sex marriage, initially denied knowing Jones or having had a sexual relationship with him.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following his initial denials, Haggard acknowledged meeting Jones for a massage and purchasing methamphetamine from him. He nevertheless maintained that he had thrown the drug away without using it.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Personally implicated

Haggard resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals. The independent board of New Life Church concluded "without a doubt" that he had engaged in sexually immoral conduct and removed him; in a letter to the congregation, Haggard himself admitted being guilty of "sexual immorality" and having deceived those around him through contradictory statements.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Institutional responsibility