For Immediate Release:
Monday, April 1, 2008

For More Information:
David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, 314-645-5915 home)
Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell)

Sex abuse victims and advocates blast 'bizarre' court ruling

They criticize high profile preacher for “intimidating legal maneuver”

Admitted adulterous pastor wants $1 million from woman he exploited

He’s also an admitted felon, accused of molesting a kid and sexually exploiting vulnerable adults

Group blasts US Senate candidate for his affiliation with judge who issued ‘unprecedented’ ruling

WHAT
At a news conference, victims of sexual violence and their supporters will harshly criticize a recent court ruling that may require an alleged abuse victim to pay $1 million to a preacher who is an admitted felon, admitted adulterer, alleged child molester and is accused of and sued for sexually exploiting several vulnerable congregation members.

WHEN
Wednesday, April 2, 1:15 p.m.

WHERE
Outside the DeKalb County Courthouse, 556 N. McDonough St. (@ Commerce Dr.) in Decatur

WHO
Several ex-members of Paulk’s church and adults who were molested by clergy, including a Missouri man who is the long-time head of a nation-wide support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)

WHY
Four weeks ago, Superior Court Judge Mark Anthony Scott, in a very unusual move, ordered Mona Brewer and her attorney to pay Bishop Earl Paulk more than $1 million. Mona is suing Paulk for manipulating, coercing and sexually exploiting her for 14 years while she was a church employee.

For years, Paulk headed a large congregation called Chapel Hill Harvester Church in Decatur. It is now headed by his son, Rev. D. E. Paul.

Victims and advocates fear for those who have been hurt by Paulk and believe that Paulk's goal is to intimidate other victims into staying silent. They are also critical of US Senate candidate Vernon Jones who is closely tied to the judge who issued the bizarre ruling.

Brewer;’s supporters are begging anyone with any information about possible crimes by Paulk, especially current or former church members or staff, to call the police. They suspect that there are others who saw, suspected or suffered inappropriate acts by Paulk but haven’t spoken up.

Paulk has admitted committing perjury and engaging in at least one 'affair.' and has been accused of molesting at least one child and several vulnerable adult women. At least one sexual misconduct case against him was settled. And a court-ordered paternity test proved that Paulk slept with his brother's wife and fathered a child who Paulk mislead his congregation into believing was his nephew.

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2007/11_12/2007_11_21_ClevelandLeader_EarlPaulk.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3GsiincDCg