Posts Tagged ‘T. Larry Kirkland’

Mo’Kelly Told…You…So…

John Hunter

First African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the oldest black congregations in Los Angeles, faces a financial crisis, owing roughly $300,000 to a long list of creditors, church officials said.

Revelations of the money problems come amid declining membership and tithing under the leadership of a controversial former pastor, the Rev. John J. Hunter, who was reassigned following a tax investigation, a sexual harassment lawsuit and questionable use of church credit cards.

The new pastor, the Rev. J. Edgar Boyd, spoke to reporters Wednesday morning outside the storied church that became the pulse of the black community after the 1992 Los Angeles riots. He vowed to restore the image and glory of the church and investigate financial mismanagement that may have occurred under Hunter.

Full story HERE.

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Tune into The Mo’Kelly Show Saturdays from 6-8pm PDT on KFI AM640 and XM 166 Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm-9pm PDT. Contact Mo’Kelly at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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John Hunter

Although I’ve not continued my coverage of the AME Church internal scandals for quite some time, dozens of readers have asked me about the latest, regarding John Hunter, formerly of First AME in Los Angeles.

Without offering a lot of conjecture and rumor I will simply point you toward the most recent Los Angeles Times story and the fact that this issue is getting tremendous coverage in the San Francisco area. I will not be so arrogant to believe that my reporting ultimately led to Hunter being disallowed to assume the pulpit at Bethel AME…but I will say, I’m sure I’ve opened some eyes along the way and helped Bethel in some ways be “prepared” for this moment.

A number of press outlets have either contacted me for comment, information on the most recent sexual misconduct lawsuit settled or references for other guests…all to which I’ve either declined (interview requests) or passed along other more suitable names to forward this discussion.

My job here is done and I’ve been tasked by the Lord with something new. My investigation into the illegal activities of the AME church has come to an end. It is now up to the rest of you to keep up the battle, now that you know the truth.

For press and those who have emailed me…this is Mo’Kelly’s only statement.

“I…told…you…so.”

Respectfully,

Mo’K.

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SAN FRANCISCO — In an unprecedented move, officials of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest black pulpit in the city, have rejected the troubled Los Angeles pastor assigned to lead its flock.

The Rev. John J. Hunter was recently transferred from First AME, one of the nation’s most prominent black churches, after an eight-year tenure marred by a sexual harassment lawsuit, a federal tax investigation and the questionable use of church credit cards.

T. Larry Kirkland

Hunter was slated to make his pastoral debut at Bethel AME this month, but church officials drafted an emergency resolution barring him from taking control. They said the assignment could “impair the legacy, reputation, relationships and goodwill” of the church in the community.

When Hunter, cloaked in his white pastor robe and carrying his Bible, showed up at the church Nov. 4 ready to preach, church officials said, they confronted him in the foyer and demanded that he produce the signed declaration from Bishop T. Larry Kirkland stating his new assignment.

Hunter did not have a copy of the declaration and church officials blocked him from taking the pulpit.

The rejection — unheard of in the AME denomination — pits the small, 650-member congregation against the executive orders of Kirkland and has many churchgoers questioning the ramifications of their protest.

Neither Hunter nor Kirkland could be reached Sunday for comment.

Full story HERE.

RELATED: The Mo’Kelly Report Cited by the Los Angeles Times for its Coverage of The Dealings of John Hunter

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Tune into The Mo’Kelly Show Saturdays from 6-8pm PDT on KFI AM640 and XM 166 Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm-9pm PDT. Contact Mo’Kelly at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Mo’Kelly told you so, including the amount ONE WHOLE YEAR IN ADVANCE!

Related: The Sinister AME/Bryant Connection

Full story HERE

*Irvine, California, Trial Attorney Gregory Brown secures the largest settlement in firm history in a sexual molestation case against the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) in Los Angeles, CA.

While some justice has been served in the courts, the victim(s) will have to deal with the fallout for the rest of their lives. It is truly unfortunate that such predators can survive for such long periods of time Mr. Brown has stated that “After 2 years of denial and cover up, the Ward AME Church, greater AME Church, Inc. and Bishop John R. Bryant, have decided to settle the largest of sexual molestation claims that were pending against the church.” AME is the largest all black church in the world, with over 2,500 congregations.

“The victim (“John Doe”) can now finally move on from unbelievable anxiety, anger, embarrassment and backlash faced as a result of the Church’s head pastor, Sylvester Laudermill (deceased), multiple molestations and later attempts to cover up,” says Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown believes “the trial would have been a media circus and could have dealt a crushing blow to the organization, already suffering severely from other financial scandals and a crippling economy.”

According to Mr. Brown, the settlements with Bishop John R. Bryant and the AME Church, Inc. are confidential, subject to a $100,000 liquidated damages clause for revealing the settlement amount. Just before the trial, the least culpable defendant, Ward AME paid $300,000. “Of course, this was after their attorneys lead the slanderous charge against the victim, turned down a prior $100,000 settlement offer and ran up at least $400,000 in attorney’s fees!” says Mr. Brown

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Related: The Sinister AME/Bryant Connection

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From L.A. Weekly

Attorneys for Brenda Lamothe, the reverend who has taken First AME Church Pastor and head John J. Hunter to court over allegations of sexual harassment, on Friday released evidence they say proves Lamothe was being employed by the church at the time she alleges Hunter coerced her to have sex as part of “God’s will.”

Lamothe’s side argues that Hunter’s lawyers played a dirty trick by demonstrating that Lamothe had resigned from the church on Sept. 10, 2008, long before she says she cut ties with First AME — last June — casting some doubt about her claims. However, Lamothe’s representatives released documents showing she indeed stayed on at the church as a part-time preacher at least through April of this year.

Full story HERE.

RELATED:

John Hunter Sued by Rev. Brenda Lamothe

From L.A. Weekly

Attorneys for Brenda Lamothe, the reverend who has taken First AME Church Pastor and head John J. Hunter to court over allegations of sexual harassment, on Friday released evidence they say proves Lamothe was being employed by the church at the time she alleges Hunter coerced her to have sex as part of “God’s will.”

Lamothe’s side argues that Hunter’s lawyers played a dirty trick by demonstrating that Lamothe had resigned from the church on Sept. 10, 2008, long before she says she cut ties with First AME — last June — casting some doubt about her claims. However, Lamothe’s representatives released documents showing she indeed stayed on at the church as a part-time preacher at least through April of this year.

Full story HERE.

RELATED:

John Hunter Sued by Rev. Brenda Lamothe

Rev. Brenda Lamothe

Rev. Brenda Lamothe returns to the pulpit this Sunday, November 22.

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Constance Fortune

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Constance Fortune, a member of the Executive Committee of the First AME Church of Los Angeles and Chairperson of the Church’s Board of Trustees #2, issued the following statement in response to the statements made by Mrs. Brenda Lamothe:

“The leadership of the First AME Church is shocked that Mrs. Lamothe has publicly distributed private personal communications between Pastor John Hunter and Mrs. Hunter as husband and wife.

(Note: Nowhere does Constance substantively deny the relationship between Hunter and Lamothe.  The main issue is the relationship between the ministers, not the cards.  To deny the cards, yet ignore the relationship is a red herring.)

“Mrs. Hunter has confirmed that the materials that were handed out to the press today by Mrs. Lamothe are private personal communications between Mrs. Hunter and her husband. As early as October 25, 2009, the Church reported to the Los Angeles Police Department that these communications had been taken from the Church parsonage and that they had been presented to the Church with a demand for money.

(Again, nowhere does Fortune factually deny the relationship between Hunter and Lamothe or provide factual basis to support the idea that Lamothe is lying.  Lamothe has provided cards and identification of personal physical attributes of Hunter.  Fortune has provided a rambling, ineffectual statement.

Let’s be clear on who is offering what here.

And if there were a WRITTEN demand for money, WHY DIDN’T YOU SUBMIT IT TO THE MEDIA CONSTANCE?!?!?!  You can show Mo’Kelly better than you can tell Mo’Kelly Constance.  This is a LAWSUIT.  Documentation is KING.)

“Mrs. Hunter is mortified and outraged that such personal, private communications between her husband and herself have been handed out to the media by Mrs. Lamothe. Clearly, Mrs. Lamothe is continuing her efforts to personally harm Mrs. Hunter. Such conduct by a person who refers to herself as a minister is morally offensive.”

(Again, nowhere does Fortune factually deny the relationship between Hunter and Lamothe or allege Lamothe is lying.  This is the THIRD paragraph and reference to the “Jack-off” notes.  Denise Brown’s <she’s not married so don’t call her ‘Mrs.’ anything> outrage or level of mortification is neither here nor there and is specious in nature.  And by the way, Pastor Jack-Off’s conduct is morally offensive to Mo’Kelly.  Just FYI.)

“Mrs. Hunter cannot believe that Mrs. Lamothe, someone who has been in the Hunters’ home numerous times and even babysat for their daughter, would behave in such an outrageous manner.

(The First Concubine Denise Brown’s supposed inability to “believe” is not a prerequisite for Rev. Lamothe’s allegations to be true.  And personally, Mo’Kelly thinks that Pastor Jack-Off using the church credit card for $122,000 in personal expenses <many of which benefiting The First Concubine> is equally ‘outrageous.’)

(Lather, rinse, repeat…no factual denial of the relationship, only the supposed “ownership” of the letters.  Lamothe offered specifics and evidence, Fortune responds with an angry letter and no evidence to support it.)

“She has authorized me to give you the following statement directly from her:

‘I have personally seen the material that Mrs. Lamothe handed out to the media today, and I can confirm that these are private communications between me and my husband, Pastor John Hunter. I am furious and disgusted that our private property has been taken and disclosed. I cannot believe that Mrs. Lamothe, who has been to our home many times and even babysat for our daughter on numerous occasions, would stoop so low.’

“We support the Hunters 100% and we do not for one moment believe the outrageous allegations in the lawsuit filed by Brenda Lamothe.

(Note the key word in the above sentence…”believe.”  Your lack of “belief” Ms. Fortune is neither here nor there in the ultimate determination of truth.  Again it is not a pre-requisite here for Rev. Lamothe to prevail.  Documentation is KING.)

This is nothing more than an attempt to harm the First AME Church, smear the Hunters and damage their relationship with the Church.

(Emotional rhetoric and argumentative.  That is for the courts to decide.  If true, the case will be summarily dismissed.  But given the evidence it will likely be tried on the merits.  Meaning, everybody has an opinion but so far only Rev. Lamothe has evidence. This is a COURT case not a sermon.  Fortune wasn’t in the bedroom…as far as we know not hiding under the bed, so she has no EVIDENCE to repudiate Lamothe’s claims.)

The Church and the Hunters are now more determined than ever to pursue their rights in Court via their invasion-of-privacy, theft and conspiracy lawsuit against Mrs. Lamothe. Lamothe’s actions today have obviously compounded the damage she has already caused.”

(If Constance Fortune is so full of “belief” in this statement and she stands behind the Hunters 100%, then come do an interview in The Mo’Kelly Report.)

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BREAKING NEWS: First AME Officer Constance Fortune Releases Statement!  Click HERE!

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Rev. Lamothe released a statement and some poignant evidence.  Mo’Kelly will simply post the information and let it stand on its own.  You’re free to discuss it in the comment section and form your own opinions.

Mo’Kelly has only two words…”Pastor Jack-off” (Hunter)

You’ll know what Mo’Kelly means shortly.

Here’s an excerpt from Rev. Lamothe’s statement.

The time has now come for John Hunter to tell the truth.  To reconcile with God and his congregation.  John Hunter has said that I am lying about the things he’s done.

However, among other things, I know that John Hunter has a 4-5 inch vertical scar on the right side of his buttocks and hip area.  It is a very clean scar, like fine brown line. I know this because of the abuse I have suffered, and it is the truth.”

(Was it just Mo’Kelly but when Rev. Lamothe said “4-5 inch” did you just KNOW she was going for another body part, not a “vertical scar?!”

Or…was it just Mo’Kelly, but did Rev. Lamothe HINT at it with the “among other things” comment?

Maybe Mo’Kelly is reading too much into all of this.)

Tell the truth Pastor Jack-off!

Brenda Lamothe Official Statement HERE

“Pastor Jack-Off’s” Love Note HERE

Love Note #2 HERE

Pastor Jack-Off?!?!?!?!?!?!

"Pastor Jack-Off"

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