Former employee files lawsuit against pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church, alleging sexual impropriety

A former employee of First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles has accused the pastor, John Hunter, in a civil lawsuit with forcing her into sexual service for four years and firing her when she finally refused to comply.

The Rev. Brenda Lamothe, who worked with Hunter as his executive assistant and in other jobs since 2004, charged in the lawsuit filed Tuesday that the pastor first began pressuring her into inappropriate hugging and kissing in about April 2005 and escalated the demands to sex.

The complaint charges that Hunter told her it was “God’s will” to satisfy his desires and regularly demanded sex both at his church office and hotels in Southern California, Virginia and North Carolina.

“Plaintiff felt trapped and scared. Pastor John is considered a prophet, and as a prophet he demanded sex from her -- it was her duty, given by God – the only way to fulfil her job and ministry,” says the complaint, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Hunter’s attorney, Robert W. Brockman Jr., said the allegations were categorically untrue.

The pastor, his wife, Denise and the church filed their own lawsuit against Lamothe on Tuesday. The suit charged her with stealing documents from the Hunters and using them to attempt to extract money from them. The documents at issue involve correspondence, some of them love notes, written by Hunter to an unnamed recipient. The pastor says they were written to his wife; Lamothe says they were written to her.

“Clearly, Pastor John did not have any inappropriate relationship with her at any time,” Brockman said, referring to Lamothe. “We believe Ms. Lamothe … is attempting to obtain money from the church in an unlawful manner that she is not entitled to.”

Lamothe’s complaint alleges that she was fired in 2009 after she began to refuse his sexual demands. But Brockman provided The Times with a 2008 resignation letter, signed by a “Rev. Brenda Lamothe,” that expressed gratitude to Hunter for bringing “blessings” to her life.

The dueling lawsuits bring further controversy to the once-storied church, one of the city’s oldest and largest African American congregations and long considered a leading light for social justice and community activism. It has been a de rigueur stop for Democratic politicians and celebrities, including President Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Michael Jackson.

Hunter, who was appointed five years ago under a cloud of controversy, has come under fire for spending more than $122,000 in personal items on church credit cards and owing the Internal Revenue Service more than $300,000 in federal taxes, interest and penalties.

But Hunter was reappointed to First AME this week by Bishop T. Larry Kirkland after dozens of congregants spoke in his support.  The church’s steward board issued a statement supporting the legal action against Lamothe.

-- Teresa Watanabe

Comments

[Rik]

"Hunter, who was appointed five years ago under a cloud of controversy, has come under fire for spending more than $122,000 in personal items on church credit cards and owing the Internal Revenue Service more than $300,000 in federal taxes, interest and penaltie"

This is why the once proud Black Church is a joke. Not only are Pastors carnal minded and greedy, the congregants are blind and stupid. Hey, but don't worry first AME, you are not alone. You may still have your name, but you have no Spiritual credibility.

[sheba]

First of all if this secretary had sex with the supposedly man of God in california and out of california she has a problem. If he sexualy harrased you on the job, I could understand but for you to have sex with him not just in his office but to meet him at hotels you must have a problem. Secondly, If you know anything about being a woman of God, God is not going to tell you or send someone to tell you to commit adultery with them. If a supposedly man of God or prophet goes against the scriptures you know that he is not operating under the direction of God but being used of the devil. They that walk in the spirit, will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Read your bible, Pray to God, I dont care what a persons title is if they tell you to do something that the bible, the word of God tells you not to do, you know that person it not walking in truth. They are walking in error.

[tobygrill]

God is cleaning out the churches so they can get back on track to teach people about eternal life through Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour!

[Schigolch]

No, plaintiff didn't feel trapped. It was a love affair. Then it ended. Now she wants to cash in, but she has to explain why, in all those years, she never simply used her two feet and left. "Felt trapped?" That's not to say she WAS trapped, because she wasn't. God gave her two feet, and she could have used them at any time to find her way to the door. She didn't feel trapped. She felt in love.

[Blessed]

Clergy sexual misconduct is NEVER the fault of the victim regardless if she willingly participates. Any clergy person who has sex with a parishioner, employer, or anyone other than his wife, has abused his authority, period. I'm always angry when this type of stuff is reported and, in most cases, the woman is vilified because she should have done this or should of done that. Women are polarized when they are abused, and who knows she may have a history of abuse and did what she knows, succumb to manipulative advances of a man. With regards to the civil suit, justice is an aspect of the healing process. Why is it always about money? Maybe this woman wants justice to be served in order to move on with her life. I'm praying for the woman, the pastor and his family, the congregation, and the denomination.

[haha]

take that jesus!

[J.J.]

This is actually the second sexual embarrassment claim since he's been there. He settled the first one which was filed by Tamia Young another office worker, out of court for over $100,000. She was then persuaded to move out of state. He has a history of this that traces back to his previous church in Seattle. Parishoners beware I stopped paying money to the church after information was released about him selling church properties to buy a million dollar mansion in Encino.
Beware of the devil in a preachers robe!!

[ricardo]

come on you know you did it be a man take it accepted and move on with it why drag this great church with you

[htMac]

aka William Jefferson Clinton...

[J.J.]

This is actually the second sexual embarrassment claim since he's been there. He settled the first one which was filed by Tamia Young another office worker, out of court for over $100,000. She was then persuaded to move out of state. He has a history of this that traces back to his previous church in Seattle. Parishoners beware I stopped paying money to the church after information was released about him selling church properties to buy a million dollar mansion in Encino.
Beware of the devil in a preachers robe!!

[Heather]

Rev. Hunter is a disgusting pig. He is even starting to look like a pig. He is big and fat and looks like a pervert.

How dare he take that historical church's money and use it for gambling, sex, travels, limos, etc. He admitted to stealing over $122,000.00 from the church. What do you have to do in California to get arrested.

Then I read that he owes the IRS over $300,000. Come on people, Jesus did not owe the IRS anything. When you pay these pigs and thugs this type of money they feel they are God. I can see him telling the lady, Rev. LaMothe, God said for you to give me oral sex.

Lock him up! Lock up John Hunter and clean up all of the other churches that are out of control in the nation. Until criminal charges are filed against Rev. Hunter he will continue to abuse women, steal money, and remain big and fat off of the church's offerings.

[James Simmons]

You know, this is pathetic!
I certainly do not know details of their "Love Triangle" but i do know that as a member of FAME I am tired of reading about all the garbage about the Pastor.
The Pastor is to lead by example as an vessel of God and now on time of his admission of mishandling the church credit card to the tune of 122,000 we have allegations of sexual misconduct with the minister and pastor who are both married.
I am certainly praying for the all parties and more so our church First AME Church.
I was taught what is done in the dark will soon come to the light.
It will be interesting to see how the Bishop Kirkland will address the situation. How long will the Bishop be able to defend such accusations.

[ladyk48]

I disagree with "Blessed." They are both at fault. The Bible says that we will all have to give an account. That includes this woman. Of course, the pastor is the greater offender because he has been appointed to a position of leadership both by God and the church. However, not so fast with letting the woman off the hook. Remember Jezebel and Delilah. Clearly there are women who have an agenda and a propensity for going after men in leadership roles without regard to whether or not they are married. She too has sinned, and needs to repent. After all, just because a married man approaches a woman doesn't mean she has to give in to him. She should have exercised self-discipline. Then she would truly have a case. I'm sorry I have no sympathy for a woman who willing sleeps with a man, and then cries foul.

[Bootsy]

Brenda Lamothe is probably a gold digging white girl

[RW]

I am a member of First AME Church for over decade and a half. When John Hunter arrived to the church there was much talk. I wrote it off with the notion that no one could fill the former pastors shoes. There has been all kinds of allegations of misconduct......I still did not want to believe it to be so. I read about the pastor in the LA times with all kinds of spending and IRS issues. I have heard all kinds of talk around the church. I have read the Famegate blog. I just thought there are still haters in the wings. However, when I read this article....... this is a turning point for me.

I have known Brenda Lamonte for a long time. She has always been the most upstanding and professional person at the church over the years. When I read this article involving Brenda. This causes me to stop and pause.......I am sure many other members will do the same thing. Brenda has a good reputation.

[disgusted]

Blessed...

Don't be so upset over this woman being "villified." I know her. She did it to herself. She had an affair. Now it's over. She wasn't coerced. She wasn't lied to or deceived. She knowingly, and of her own accord slept with a married man... repeatedly, over YEARS... over and over and over again. They were BOTH in the wrong, and at the time, she was ALLLLLLL about it. Now, he's the bad guy. This woman of God is a nasty, vindictive person, and she makes ALL women look bad.

[Henry I]

I was once a proud member of the First AME Church of Los Angeles, but months after Rev. Cecil Murray retired I became very unhappy with his replacement. Now, after the years have passed and more and more comes out about the replacements lack of moral character, disrespect of members and a total lack of understanding of the word integrity-these latest charges do not surprise me, at all.
It is time for the members of the church to vote in new Board members-since it appears that the current Board members are in the replacements back pocket. No church should accept this kind of continued misbehavior and total disdain for what is right.. And his unethical aactivites have been known for years now.

Members wake up and let's begin with a new real leader and a true man of god not this imposter of a religious man.

Amen

[Wil]

Kick the Bum out. FAME needs and deserves better.

[dee]

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE AME 'S PASTORS ?
THIS IS THE THIRD AME CHURCH TO HAVE ITS PASTOR ON THE FRONT PAGE NEWS.

1.FREDERICK MURPH
2.JOHN HUNTER
3.REV. LESLIE WHITE OF WATTS

[40 year Member of FAME]

As a member of FAME for nearly 40 years, I tried to keep an open mind after Rev, Hunter came to our church. I heard rumors about how things went at his former churches, but I like many others felt like we should come to our own conclusions about the new minister from our own experience.

Well, five years after his appointment, I am now totally disgusted with all the problems he has brought to this church. With each accusation, there always seems to be an "explanation" offered in his defense. Why is Rev. Hunter repeatedly in situations which even require an explanation?

The use of church credit cards to the tune of $122,000.00 before he suddenly becomes aware that that was improper? He was given an unbelievable second chance when the Board permitted him an opportunity to pay back the money in a payment plan. If any of us did this to our employer, we would have immediately been fired and arrested for embezzlement and required to pay back the money immediately. Why should the church have to wait years for return of its own money? I thought making what looked like theft a "loan" was ridiculous.

The IRS says he owes them $300,000.00 in back taxes! I thought this was an Ivy League-educated man?

Now a sexual harassment charge? Personally, it does not matter whether the woman sleeping with him was forced or if it was consentual on her part...both acts are equally disgusting and do not excuse immoral behavior by a person who is supposed to be a moral leader in our community. It is unfortunate that even if the woman's accusations are totally fabricated, his extremely poor judgment in the recent past put his credibility in question.

I'm waiting for the latest "explanation" for this one.

[new2you]

This is exactly why I stopped going to these religious meetings I walk a christian life and do no believe in needing phony shepards to guide me in my walk.
I can read my bible have bible study in mmy home and be a living example to the world and those in need without supporting some needing a jet plane or a multi room house with expensive cars and personal items. the black church as with many white churches have lost there way. Some are supportive of gay lifestyles and others are drunk on luxury items and others have commited sex sins againt men,women, and children. lord help those lost sheep find the true shapards and leave these places of carnal desires.

[NANCY IN KANSAS CITY]

Well, AMEJ Forewarn the membership and back here in Kansas City we knew he was a church killer. This is shameful and a disgrace. I was in California, this should have come out when we were in session not afterward. I don't like what is taken place. Theresa, you have all the ecessentials to pull up records, you can find stuff that we can't get to. As a journalist you should be on top of this. Something is wrong when you have a church killer and a wife who has only a Hight School education to run a business. I pray God will remove this from the church in California. Will be praying for them.

Peace Out

[lani]

God bless our church, because when God comes he is
going to show up,show out and take charge and straighten
it all out.

A FAME MEMBER