Gateway Church removes elders after investigation into Robert Morris sexual abuse accusations

[Pelican Press 0]

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Gateway ******* removes elders after investigation into Robert Morris ******* ****** accusations

SOUTHLAKE, Texas – Gateway ******* says it has removed multiple elders who knew about

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. The Southlake-based ******* is also cooperating with an ongoing ********* investigation.

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this June after a woman, Cindy Cleminshire, came forward with claims that Morris ********* abused her between 1982 and 1987, starting when she was 12 years old.

Cleminshire, who is now 54, said she brought up her allegations more than once to Gateway ******* leaders.

When the claims became public, the

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*******’s board of elders said they weren’t aware that the “young lady” in question may have been 12 years old.

The ******* hired the Haynes and Boone law firm to investigate what ******* elders knew about the claims before this June.

The ******* says six people refused to speak with investigators, including Morris.

The lawfirm says they found that there were a group of employees and elders who did know that Cleminshire was 12 at the time of the reported ****** and another group that knew of the allegations against Morris, but did not ask more questions.

The ******* says elders who were in either group were let go and other staff members who knew will not be allowed to become elders.

Gateway leaders say the investigation revealed a “******** of culture” at the *******.

“We must be honest with ourselves and acknowledge that our culture allowed this truth to be very be ******* for too long,” said Tra Willbanks, a Gateway ******* Elder. “At some point in the past, the culture of Gateway became one where power was centralized and the leader at the top was surrounded by people who wanted to protect him. Some of them at all cost.”

Tra Willbanks

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The ******* says it is rewriting bylaws and changing governance structure to prevent similar issues in the future.

Gateway said it did not find any other allegations of ******* ******** against Morris.

Morris is not currently facing any charges in connection to the ******* ****** allegations, but the ******* revealed a ********* investigation is underway.

“You also need to know that Gateway ******* is currently and fully cooperating with an ongoing ********* investigation, the details of which we can’t share with you at this time,” said Willbanks.

Gateway says neither the ******* itself, nor the current leadership is subject to the ********* investigation.

The ******* says it has received financial demands from Morris, but they have declined.

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#Gateway #******* #removes #elders #investigation #Robert #Morris #******* #****** #accusations

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