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Sex Scandal Roils Atlanta Megachurch

After DNA test, archbishop admits 'nephew' is his son

By John Lister,  Newser User

Posted Nov 22, 2007 3:59 PM CST

(Newser) – Revelations was the theme of the day for a scandal-plagued Atlanta church as its archbishop had to admit that his "nephew" is really his son. And worse, he’d lied about it under oath, AP reports. A court-ordered DNA test showed Archbishop Earl Paulk fathered D.E. Paulk. Both work at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit at Chapel Hill Harvester Church.

The DNA test followed the archbishop’s testimony in a lawsuit brought by a former employee who claimed he coerced her into sex. Faulk swore under oath he's never had sex with anyone but his wife, but the paternity test proved him wrong. He may face perjury charges. In 1992, six women claimed to have had sexual relations with Paulk family members. The church’s membership is down around 85% from its peak.

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit at Chapel Hill Harvester Church is pictured Friday Nov. 9, 2007, in Decatur, Ga. The church's bishop and founder Earl Paulk, who's past contains allegations of sexual misconduct, was recently discovered to be the biological father of the church's senior pastor D.E. Paulk. (AP...
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit at Chapel Hill Harvester Church is pictured Friday Nov. 9, 2007, in Decatur, Ga. The church's bishop and founder Earl Paulk, who's past contains allegations of sexual misconduct,...   (Associated Press)
Senior pastor of Cathedral at Chapel Hill D.E. Paulk, rear, stands with wife Brandi as they are pictured in their home Friday Nov. 9, 2007, in Marietta, Ga. DNA tests reveal that Bishop Earl Paulk, D.E's uncle and the church's founder, who has been plagued with sexual lawsuits,...
Senior pastor of Cathedral at Chapel Hill D.E. Paulk, rear, stands with wife Brandi as they are pictured in their home Friday Nov. 9, 2007, in Marietta, Ga. DNA tests reveal that Bishop Earl Paulk, D.E's...   (Associated Press)
Senior pastor of Cathedral at Chapel Hill D.E. Paulk is pictured in his home Friday Nov. 9, 2007, in Marietta, Ga. DNA tests reveal that Bishop Earl Paulk, D.E's uncle and the church's founder, who has been plagued with sexual lawsuits, is actually D.E.'s biological father....
Senior pastor of Cathedral at Chapel Hill D.E. Paulk is pictured in his home Friday Nov. 9, 2007, in Marietta, Ga. DNA tests reveal that Bishop Earl Paulk, D.E's uncle and the church's founder, who has...   (Associated Press)
The names Earl and D.E. Paulk, bishop and senior pastor respectively, are displayed at the entrance to Cathedral at Chapel Hill church, Friday Nov. 9, 2007, in Decatur, Ga. DNA tests reveal that Bishop Earl Paulk, D.E's uncle and the church's founder, who has been plagued with sexual...
The names Earl and D.E. Paulk, bishop and senior pastor respectively, are displayed at the entrance to Cathedral at Chapel Hill church, Friday Nov. 9, 2007, in Decatur, Ga. DNA tests reveal that Bishop...   (Associated Press)
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CNN report on Earl Paulk scandal, 21 November 2007   (GRUEBEN (YouTube))

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