Second Suit Filed Against Prominent Pastor
Rev. Jerry Sutton Named In Defamation Of Character Suit
POSTED: 4:35 pm CST January 17,
2008
UPDATED: 7:45 pm CST January 17,
2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The battle between a local church and its congregation is getting nastier.
Video: Prominent Pastor Under Fire In 2nd LawsuitThe sides have already been to court once when members of Two Rivers Baptist Church sued its pastor, Rev. Jerry Sutton, for misusing church funds.That suit was dismissed after a judge decided the courts couldn't get involved in church matters, but another lawsuit has since been filed.Some members said they have left the church because of Sutton.“Why did I leave the church? Basically because of Jerry Sutton,” said Robbie Robinson.Robinson said he is concerned that Sutton has never turned over all financial records and has instead handed out a letter demanding an apology from those who filed the first lawsuit.“I think some of them may want to throw up when they read it themselves,” he said.In the letter, Sutton writes that those who filed the lawsuit violated church standards and need to issue a written letter of apology and promise never to cause disharmony again. Shortly after that letter, complaints came into Metro codes that the church's children's area had severe mold and leaks. A church representative didn't want to speculate that the same group was behind the complaints, but codes investigated on Thursday.“As far as we're concerned, they're doing what needs to be done done. The rooms are isolated, nobody is in them, and there is no threat from the 'leaks or holes in the roof,'" said Metro Codes officer Jeff Castleberry.There was another threat to the church though when another lawsuit was filed last week. In it, church trustee Frank Harris claims that in an effort to cover illegal activity, Sutton let him go unfairly and that Harris suffered defamation of character because of it.“Yeah. It is messy,” Robinson said. “Not only do I think that church has gone downhill spiritually for years, financially it's in very bad problems."Sutton has filed a motion to dismiss that latest lawsuit, and it will be in court on Feb. 1.Sutton could not be reached for comment on this story.
Video: Prominent Pastor Under Fire In 2nd LawsuitThe sides have already been to court once when members of Two Rivers Baptist Church sued its pastor, Rev. Jerry Sutton, for misusing church funds.That suit was dismissed after a judge decided the courts couldn't get involved in church matters, but another lawsuit has since been filed.Some members said they have left the church because of Sutton.“Why did I leave the church? Basically because of Jerry Sutton,” said Robbie Robinson.Robinson said he is concerned that Sutton has never turned over all financial records and has instead handed out a letter demanding an apology from those who filed the first lawsuit.“I think some of them may want to throw up when they read it themselves,” he said.In the letter, Sutton writes that those who filed the lawsuit violated church standards and need to issue a written letter of apology and promise never to cause disharmony again. Shortly after that letter, complaints came into Metro codes that the church's children's area had severe mold and leaks. A church representative didn't want to speculate that the same group was behind the complaints, but codes investigated on Thursday.“As far as we're concerned, they're doing what needs to be done done. The rooms are isolated, nobody is in them, and there is no threat from the 'leaks or holes in the roof,'" said Metro Codes officer Jeff Castleberry.There was another threat to the church though when another lawsuit was filed last week. In it, church trustee Frank Harris claims that in an effort to cover illegal activity, Sutton let him go unfairly and that Harris suffered defamation of character because of it.“Yeah. It is messy,” Robinson said. “Not only do I think that church has gone downhill spiritually for years, financially it's in very bad problems."Sutton has filed a motion to dismiss that latest lawsuit, and it will be in court on Feb. 1.Sutton could not be reached for comment on this story.
Previous Stories:
- January 4, 2008: Majority Of Case Against Pastor Dismissed
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