Bishop Eddie Long (and his good wig) hit the viral video circuit last week to make a plea to financial advisers who may have scammed several of his New Birth Missionary Baptist Church members out of their retirement funds. (CLICK HERE if you missed it)
Now the man behind the financial company, Ephren W. Taylor has released a statement in response to Long’s YouTube video appeal and he says that Long’s assertion that neither he nor New Birth benefited from the business members did with City Capital is inaccurate.
Taylor says he met with Long in late 2009 before bringing the “Wealth Tour Live” to New Birth. He also asserts that the church received a percentage of product sales and planned to sell videos from the presentations.
Messy… Messy… Messy! I knew Long pocketed some of that dough!
Read Taylor’s statement in it’s entirety below:
Due to many inaccuracies, and based upon what I view as a direct character assassination and an attempt to paint a picture of an inability, on my part, to take responsibility for the actions of City Capital Corporation during my tenure as CEO, I am extending facts relative to the aftermath of the Wealth Tour at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. I visited with Bishop Eddie L. Long in late 2009 prior to bringing my Wealth Tour Live to New Birth, with hopes of inspiring and empowering the congregation in business through seminars, and to make my book, Creating Success from the Inside Out, available to all attendees.
The church received a percentage of product sales, and stated their intent to sell videos from the presentations. I also operated on Bishop Long?s behalf to secure certain media opportunities for him. Members of the City Capital team were in attendance, and subsequently, members of the church elected to partner with the company on community service opportunities across the country that aid in creating jobs.
Even after my departure last year as CEO of City Capital Corporation, there has been consistent communication between myself and Elder Maurice Waddell, Chief Operating Officer at New Birth, of which there is a significant amount of documented phone and e-mail correspondence.
City Capital?s legal team has connected via phone and e-mail with members of New Birth, per the list provided by the church. Paralegals confirmed that each member received a resolution package, and I personally reviewed an updated report on which clients were contacted, and when contact was initiated. Since last year, the legal team has been working with individuals to legally and privately resolve, refund, and restructure any potential issues. To protect the integrity of the process, resolutions are confidential.
A conference call, hosted by the attorneys representing City Capital, was held with all New Birth members involved as recently as this month, in which Elder Maurice Waddell participated. Since my transition from City Capital Corporation in 2010, I have operated completely independent of the company. However, in good faith, I have chosen to honor my commitment to assist in the efforts to advance a swift and positive conclusion for all parties.
-Ephren W. Taylor
Dear members of New Birth:
I think it’s time you found a new church home…
Love, ATLien