Gateway Church Settles Lawsuit Over Sexual Assault Cover-up

Gateway Church, led by founder Robert Morris, settled a lawsuit accusing several pastors and a youth leader of concealing the sexual assault of a minor member just before Morris resigned due to allegations of child sex abuse dating back to the '80s. The lawsuit, filed in 2020, involved church staff concealing the assault of a minor by another member, leading to a settlement in April. The plaintiffs, part of Gateway Church, sought damages from over $200,000 to under $5,000,000. The church and pastors denied liability but settled for an undisclosed sum to 'buy peace,' according to court documents. The allegations included negligence and breach of fiduciary duty by church leaders in handling the assault case involving a minor and her mother, who were active church participants.