SHERMAN, Texas — A North Texas megachurch is facing a new controversy after a class-action lawsuit was filed Friday.
Gateway Church and four current and former church leaders are being accused of fraud.
The lawsuit obtained by WFAA alleges the church led by former Senior Pastor Robert Morris falsely promised the congregation that 15% of its tithes, which are voluntary contributions from churchgoers, would go towards global mission work. The plaintiffs claim they never witnessed Gateway use the full amount of funds on its global ministries.
According to the lawsuit, the 15% represents the $15 million annually from what is believed to be the church’s $100 million annual revenue. However, the lawsuit alleges church leaders refused to be transparent about where the funds were going, despite numerous discrepancies that were reported during the church’s accounting procedures.
One of the church members named in the lawsuit said they had sent a demand letter to Gateway asking for the church to return their tithing money.
“Church leaders have promised on multiple occasions that if any member of the congregation is not happy with how those contributions are being used they can get that money back. But those requests have been repeatedly ignored," said Micah Dortch, attorney for the plaintiffs and partner in the Dallas-based firm of Dortch Lindstrom Livingston.
Along with Robert Morris, three other leaders were named in the lawsuit. Former Executive Tom Lane, Executive Global Pastor Kevin Grove and founding Elder Steve Dulin.
It's been four months since lead pastor Robert Morris stepped down, after being accused of sexually assaulting Cindy Clemishire in the 1980s when she was 12 years old. Several other church officials, including Morris' son James Morris, followed him out the door or on temporary leave.
Gateway Church leaders have since hired the law firm Haynes and Boone to conduct an internal investigation into the accusations against Robert Morris.
According to the lawsuit, if it is determined that Gateway has not misappropriated funds, the church members want to redirect the money to a church or ministry of their choice to ensure the money is spent on its global missions.
“These individuals were faithful contributors for years and simply want Gateway to open its books, answer questions, and demonstrate that the church is a good steward of these funds,” said Dortch.
Gateway Church responded in a statement sent to WFAA Friday evening:
"We do not comment on pending litigation. These are serious allegations. Some of these concerns were brought to us recently, and we are actively investigating them. Funds donated to our church are sacred, and it is important that we hold ourselves to the highest biblical standards of ethics and integrity."
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