Trinity Broadcasting Network

A former Trinity Broadcasting Network employee who was paid $425,000 to keep quiet about his claims of a homosexual tryst with televangelist Paul Crouch has disclosed details of his complaint, saying that he had felt forced to engage in the alleged sexual acts to keep his job. Enoch Lonnie Ford, 41, said he was going public with his story because he believes TBN officials breached a confidentiality agreement that was part of a 1998 settlement that provided the payment to him.

The Trinity Broadcasting Network, which bills itself as the world's largest Christian network, is embroiled in a legal battle involving allegations of massive financial fraud and lavish spending, including the purchase of a $100,000 motor home for family dogs. Brittany Koper, a former high-ranking TBN official and the granddaughter of its co-founder, Paul Crouch Sr., was fired by the network in September after discovering "illegal financial schemes" amounting to tens of millions of dollars, according to a lawsuit filed in Orange County Superior Court.

I am writing regarding the recent articles degrading the Trinity Broadcasting Network and evangelist Paul Crouch. I think the articles were entirely unnecessary. There is so much slime and sleaze on TV. Why not write articles on them, and get them off the air? The TV has nothing but sex and violence, so I turn on TBN and listen to people singing beautiful songs, and praising the Lord. Is that bad? I think it is wonderful! HELEN MANNING Laguna Hills

A multimillion-dollar building project involving a Haitian pastor and the Trinity Broadcasting Network has collapsed in recriminations, leaving behind a half-built hospital with a giant cross-shaped hole in one wall. With $2.

Citing concerns about remarks he made in an earlier hearing, an Orange County judge removed himself Monday from a case involving televangelist Paul Crouch. Judge John M. Watson made the decision during a contempt-of-court hearing for Enoch Lonnie Ford, a former TBN employee who says he had a homosexual tryst with televangelist Paul Crouch. Crouch, 70, founded the world's largest religious broadcasting network and is a popular on-air personality. He has vehemently denied the accusations.

A church watchdog group recommended Tuesday that Jan and Paul Crouch step aside as leaders of Orange County-based Trinity Broadcasting Network while a panel of Christian leaders investigates its finances. An executive for TBN, the world's largest Christian network, rejected the idea but said he would meet with critics and review audited financial statements and other related documents with them. "We will turn over to them whatever we need to turn over," said Paul Crouch Jr., a network executive.

Love thy neighbor? Ah, not always. A Costa Mesa-based television ministry -- the largest in the world -- has filed a $300,000 suit against three neighboring homeowners, claiming they illegally pruned and damaged a row of ficus trees just inside the church compound. The suit, filed Oct. 23 in Orange County Superior Court, is the latest in a series of spats between Trinity Broadcasting Network and neighbors.

A few weeks ago, producer Matthew Crouch rang up his financial angel, the man who helped him raise money to make his first film. Crouch had gotten comments from viewers at a preview screening and wanted to go over some changes. It was a short call. "Listen, bud, I'm dealing with some other stuff here," the benefactor said. "You just deal with it. I've got to go." Click. Another young producer might have been discouraged by such a brushoff.

Proclaiming that he is "not willing to surrender the motion picture media to the devil," Orange County televangelist Paul F. Crouch is breaking into the movie business with a $6-million feature film, aimed at mainstream theater audiences and financed entirely by donations. The film, "China Cry," is based on the life of Chinese-American evangelist Nora Lam and carries the subtitle, "A True Story."

A few weeks ago, producer Matthew Crouch rang up his financial angel, the man who helped him raise money to make his first film. Crouch had gotten comments from viewers at a preview screening and wanted to go over some changes. It was a short call. "Listen, bud, I'm dealing with some other stuff here," the benefactor said. "You just deal with it. I've got to go." Click. Another young producer might have been discouraged by such a brushoff.

The apostle of the Apocalypse is back on the airwaves. A year after his biblical prophecy show experienced its own doomsday on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, controversial and bestselling author Hal Lindsey has returned to the TBN fold. Lindsey's second coming ends a feud with network officials over his on-air criticisms of Islam.

At the recent premiere of "One Night With the King" in Westwood, movie producer Matthew Crouch took a few moments to offer thanks. "You know what I feel like would be an awesome thing to do right now?" Crouch said during a live broadcast of the opening festivities on "Praise the Lord" on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. "To thank my sweet little mom and dad, Paul and Jan Crouch." There's a lot to be thankful for.

A Bible study teacher and prayer counselor turned himself in to Tustin police this week, saying he had molested a boy at church, according to authorities. Roger Warren Evans, 53, of Tustin is accused of having molested a student over a period of two years in a private room during Bible study at First Advent Christian Church in Tustin, where Evans is a member and volunteer. Authorities said Evans began spanking the boy at the age of 9 and fondled him 10 to 12 times.

Citing concerns about remarks he made in an earlier hearing, an Orange County judge removed himself Monday from a case involving televangelist Paul Crouch. Judge John M. Watson made the decision during a contempt-of-court hearing for Enoch Lonnie Ford, a former TBN employee who says he had a homosexual tryst with televangelist Paul Crouch. Crouch, 70, founded the world's largest religious broadcasting network and is a popular on-air personality. He has vehemently denied the accusations.

Trinity Broadcasting Network, a Christian television ministry shaken last month by allegations that its founder had engaged in a homosexual tryst, has dropped plans for its annual live fall telethon next week and instead will show 40 hours of reruns of previous "Praise-a-thons." The twice-annual "Praise-a-thons" have been a fundraising mainstay of the Orange County-based network since its birth 31 years ago and now bring in more than $90 million in pledges each fall and spring.

Trinity Broadcasting Network officials say they want a former employee jailed or fined because he violated a court order against talking about a homosexual tryst he says he had with the ministry's leader, televangelist Paul Crouch. A temporary restraining order issued by Orange County Superior Court Judge John M.

Evangelists Pat Robertson of Christian Broadcasting Network and Paul Crouch of Tustin-based Trinity Broadcasting Network agreed this week to air each other's centerpiece shows. Robertson's "700 Club" will make its debut on the Trinity Broadcasting Network at noon May 25. Crouch's "Praise the Lord" show will appear on the Christian Broadcasting Network at midnight June 21 under the agreement, a Trinity spokeswoman said.

A church watchdog group recommended Tuesday that Jan and Paul Crouch step aside as leaders of Orange County-based Trinity Broadcasting Network while a panel of Christian leaders investigates its finances. An executive for TBN, the world's largest Christian network, rejected the idea but said he would meet with critics and review audited financial statements and other related documents with them. "We will turn over to them whatever we need to turn over," said Paul Crouch Jr., a network executive.

Your two-part expose (Sept. 19-20) of the disgraceful tactics used by Trinity Broadcasting Network to raise money in support of the lifestyle of its leaders, Paul and Jan Crouch, was welcome and long overdue. When I've driven past their church in Costa Mesa, I've wondered how people who claim to have a direct connection to God could have designed and built such a hideous monstrosity. They say that "God works in strange ways," but I'm pretty certain he never intended for these people to play Robin Hood in reverse, taking from the poor, old, sick and helpless and giving to the rich.