Dallas resident files defamation lawsuit against Gateway Church and Robert Morris
Title: Woman Suing Gateway Church's Founder for Defamation Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse
In a shocking turn of events, Cindy Clemishire, the woman who accuses Robert Morris, the founding pastor of Southlake-based Gateway Church, of sexually abusing her as a child, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Morris, his wife, the church, and its elders. Filed in Dallas County, Texas, the lawsuit alleges a slew of appalling actions by the defendants.
Clemishire's lawyers highlighted in court documents that Morris, in a previous statement acknowledging the abuse claims, referred to her as a "young lady." The suit claims that this is a blatant attempt to downplay the horrific nature of the alleged assault.
In his statement, Morris mentioned stepping out of ministry as part of a "restoration process" after Clemishire first reported the abuse to her parents in the late 1980s. However, the lawsuit contends that Morris' account is untrue - a claim that could severely impact his reputation.
The suit also alleges financial gain on the part of Morris, his wife, the church, and its elders, by hiding any known information about the sexual abuse claims from Clemishire. The suit accuses them of acting with "actual malice," which is a critical element in defamation cases.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it's essential to note that Morris is currently facing criminal charges in Oklahoma for the alleged lewd or indecent acts with a child. His indictment came about following Clemishire publicly sharing her harrowing experience in June 2024, when she revealed Morris had sexually abused her during the 1980s. The abuse reportedly lasted more than four years.
Morris stepped down from the church shortly after admitting to an "inappropriate relationship" with Clemishire. Interestingly, Morris acknowledged in a court filing that he had a "highly inappropriate relationship" with his accuser, but denied knowing the extent of the abuse at the time.
Gateway Church underwent significant changes following the allegations. In November 2024, the church announced it had removed elders and leaders who were aware of the alleged abuse after conducting a four-month internal investigation into the claims. The church was left with three elders by the end of 2024.
In addition to the defamation lawsuit, Morris is involved in a separate legal dispute with the church regarding his retirement pay. The church has refused to pay the requested amount due to the sexual abuse claims. Morris' attorneys argue that Morris was forced out of his position and that the church lied about the extent of the alleged abuse they knew about.
This lawsuit is one of the most detailed responses to the allegations against Morris. It seeks civil damages in excess of $1 million, underscoring the immense emotional and reputational harm Clemishire and her family have suffered.
Penelope Rivera is KERA's breaking news reporter. If you have any information related to this matter, you can reach Penelope at [email protected]. KERA News relies on the generous support of its members to deliver quality journalism. Consider making a tax-deductible gift today.
- The recent defamation lawsuit filed against Robert Morris, among others, involves allegations of blatant attempts to downplay child sexual abuse within the context of general news and politics.
- The ongoing legal dispute between Robert Morris and Gateway Church encompasses charges of financial gain, hiding information about child sexual abuse, and criminal offenses in both Texas and Oklahoma, making this a significant case in crime and justice.
