let's go to steve osunsami in nags head. what's the latest, steve? >> reporter: the winds have picked up. you can feel the wind blowing the sand around. you can feel the sand in the air. my hand feels gritty because of it. big problem, of course, is the sea in this storm. sea surge. this is low-lying area. many people were forced to this area because of that. from here several miles south, all of the way down hattera residents were forced to leave. as that water comes in, not only in front of the storm, but also on the backside, as the storm whips around and brings the water that could flood this area through the south. >> steve osunsami. >>> you can take the storm on abcnews.com through the day and the night. "nightline >>> was this man charging at deputies when he was tased? that is what the official report says. the video disputes it. >> this boaters attempting a draw matic water rescue. >> questions about a murder spree that left five people dead and radio active discovery made at the suspect's home. >> the state ordered study looks at the accura

here's abc's steve osunsami. >> reporter: bishop eddie long is considered one of the most anti-gay pastors in the country, who once said that homosexuality is a spiritual abortion. if today's accusations are true, he might regret the day he led thousands through the streets of atlanta in protest of gays and same-sex marriage. >> woman and woman and man and man is not right. so, that's why i stand by the bishop. >> reporter: in the lawsuits, filed by three, young men he recruited into the youth ministry at his gigantic church outside atlanta, they describe him as a sexual predator who pushed them into sex, lavished them with expensive gifts, and sent them these photos, texts and e-mails when they were above the legal age of consent, but just 16 and 17 years old. they say he certainly doesn't look like a bishop here. >> what pastor in his right mind sends a picture of himself posing in a bathroom in a muscle shirt? none. none that i know of. >> reporter: at the funeral of coretta scott king, which took place at his church in 2006, some civil rights leaders refused to attend because long is s

steve osunsami, abc news, memphis. >>

here's steve osunsami. >> reporter: outside the new birth missionary baptist church here -- >> he's an innocent man. give him the benefit of the doubt. >> reporter: -- when bishop eddie long finally appeared, he seemed more like a rock star than a pastor accused of pushing sex onto teenage boys. >> i've been accused. i'm under attack. i want you to know, as i said earlier, i am not a perfect man, but this thing i'm going to fight. [ cheers and applause ] >> reporter: under the advice of his lawyers, he said very little, even at the news conference after his first service where he took no questions. for some this was enough. >> i want the world to know i will support bishop eddie long till the day i die and go to heaven. >> reporter: currently there are four lawsuits, and there's the matter of these pictures. attorneys say long sent them to one of the teenage boys. there were mothers and fathers in church who could not turn a blind eye. >> he didn't just come right out and just say, people, i didn't do it. >> so you think he might be guilty. >> yes. >> reporter: according to long homose

here's steve osunsami. >> reporter: outside the missionary baptist church here -- >> innocent man. give him the benefit of the doubt. >> reporter: when bishop eddie long finally appears, he seemed more like a rock star than a pastor accused of pushing sex on teenage boys. >> i've been accused. i'm under attack. i want you to know as i said earlier i am not a perfect man, but this thing i'm going to fight. [ cheers and applause ] >> reporter: under the rhys of his lawyers he said little. even at the news conference where he took no questions. for some this was enough. >> i want the world to know i will support bishop eddie long till the day i die and go to heaven. >> reporter: there are four lawsuits and there's the matter of these pictures, attorneys say long sent them to one of the teenage boys. there were mothers and fathers in church who could not turn a blind eye. >> he didn't just come right out and say, people, i didn't do it. >> reporter: you think he might be guilty. >> um, yes. >> reporter: according to long homosexuality is a manifestation of the fallen han and his lifelo

but i got five rocks and i haven't thrown one yet. >> reporter: steve osunsami, abc news, atlanta. >>> and at least 100 other pastors around the country today defied the government by endorsing political candidates from the pulpit. churches risk losing their tax exempt status if they engage in political activity. these pastors hope to provoke a court case to challenge that law. but so far, the government has not taken the bait. >>> and in california, the so-called act toe mom, nadya suleman, now says she is broke and faces foreclosure. this weekend, she tried to pick up some extra cash with a yard sale, including a lot of baby clothes. shoppers could also buy a photo with her for $10 and a photo with her and her octuplets for $100. >>> and, when we come back, the epidemic of drug abuse that may start in your bathroom medicine cabinet. itset cover everything. i don't want to spend my life worrying about what would happen if one of us got sick. [ male announcer ] now more than ever, ! you may be wondering: do i have the right medicare coverage? talk to the health plan experts at secureh

steve osunsami, abc news, atlanta. >>> and, medical news tonight. an about face and a warning about a highly popular surgery. lasik eye surgery. and it comes from a former official who once led the drive to approve the procedure. so, what is the danger he sees? elisabeth leamy brings us the interview and the story. >> reporter: lasik surgery promises a chance at 20/20 vision. but a former fda official says hindsight is what's really 20/20. knowing what you know now, would you ever recommend lasik to somebody you care about? >> oh, absolutely not. >> reporter: dr. morris waxler was part of the fda team that green-lighted lasik surgery in 1995. but then, he says, he started hearing about devastating side effects. so, today, he asked his former employer to issue strong warnings about lasik. >> people don't understand, this is not like getting your nails done or a curl in your hair. >> reporter: in lasik, a thin flap of the outer cornea is lifted out of the way. then, a laser flattens the inner cornea. critics say that compromised cornea can drop micros

here's steve osunsami. >> reporter: outside the new birth missionary baptist church here -- >> he's an innocent man. give him the benefit of the doubt. >> reporter: -- when bishop eddie long finally appeared, he seemed more like a rock star hing a pastor aching sex onto teenage boys. >> i've been accused. i'm under attack. i want you to know, as i said earlier, i am not a perfect man, but this thing i'm going to fight. [ cheers and applause ] >> reporter: under the advice of his lawyers, he said very little, even at the news conference after his first service where he took no questions. for some this was enough. >> i want the world to know i will support bishop eddie long till the day i die and go to heaven. >> reporter: currently there are four lawsuits, and there's the matter of these pictures. attorneys say long sent them to one of the teenage boys. there were mothers and fathers in church who could not turn a blind eye. >> he didn't just come right out and just say, people, i didn't do it. >> so you think he might be guilty. >> yes. >> reporter: according to long homosexuality is a

steve osunsami, abc news, memphis. >> you have to cheer the kids and the corporations. hope you have a great night. join us here tomorrow. >>> next at 6:00 the bay area locations on pg&e list of risky pipelines as one that is absent. >> and the mystery surrounding a dead whale that wash add shore off san francisco today. >> and a thrift for help. efforts to make sure kids have access to fresh water during lunch. >> most companies don't see that as custom buzz cost. >> meeting needs of the disabled. you'll see progress being made and the hurdles yet to overcome. >> good evening, everyone. gf and e breaks silence revealing 100 riskiest pipeline locations in the state. >> we've learned the number one trouble spot is in cord delia. and a section of pipe in san jose and another in novato. there are two dozen hot spots but one that is missing is a pipe that blew up in san bruno. david louie is live tonight. david? >> that is frightening news. the fact this san bruno pipeline was not and is not on the list of top 100 and pg&e didn't meet the criteria. i'm

>> steve osunsami. steve, thanks very much. >>> the national hurricane center is tracking earl as we move into this holiday weekend. and so we turn to bill read again tonight, the head of the national hurricane center. and bill, where is earl right now and how long before we're out of the woods on this? >> right now, earl is south of new england and moving northeast at over 20 miles an hour. it will speed up overnight, come just south of nantucket and cape cod, and then move off into the canadian maritimes during the day on saturday. so, after people get up saturday morning, the skies are going to start clearing. >> and that is the good news. you told me earlier that you have your eye on several systems already in the pipeline. what does it look like? >> this is the wave that with us was gaston. another wave that came off of africa yesterday. these are ones that we are watching for potential development. and you can see the clusters of storms making their way from east to west across africa. once they c

and from steve osunsami, we go to sam champion, who is in cedar point, north carolina, tonight, tracking earl. and sam, what about that possibility there could be a high pressure system that blocks the storm and knock it back out into the ocean? >> reporter: diane, two things happened today. and one of them was that cold front that's going to eventually steer earl slowed down today. but earl slowed down today, too. what that means is, they will connect, but a little too late to save the coastline of north carolina from a very close brush with a very powerful storm. let me show you what's going to happen. over the next 24 hours, the cold front makes a move out of the northern plains and gets to the shoreline. now here's what it does to the track of that storm. notice by friday afternoon, just how close that category 2 hurricane is, within 100 miles to the outer banks of north carolina. that means 60 to 70-mile-an-hour winds right on the shoreline of north carolina and one to three inches of rain. as the storm curves and interacts with that front, it will put. but america curves right ther

steve osunsami, abc news, atlanta. >>> and, medical news tonight. an about face and a warning about a highly popular surgery. lasik eye surgery. and it comes from a former official who once led the drive to approve the procedure. so, what is the danger he sees? elisabeth leamy brings us the interview and the story. >> reporter: lasik surgery promises a chance at 20/20 vision. but a former fda official says hindsight is what's really 20/20. knowing what you know now, would you ever recommend lasik to somebody you care about? >> no, absolutely not. >> reporter: dr. morris waxler was part of the fda team that green-lighted lasik surgery in 1995. but then, he says, he started hearing about devastating side effects. so, today, he asked his former employer to issue strong warnings about lasik. >> i think people don't understand, this is not like getting your nails done. this is not like getting a curl in your hair. >> reporter: in lasik, a thin flap of the outer cornea is lifted out of the way. then, a laser flattens the inner cornea. critics say that com

steve? >> reporter: bill, we are now 120 miles away from the center of the storm as it continues to move to the northeast. still a very powerful category 2 storm with wind speeds upwards of 105 miles an hour. we're seeing gusts up to 40 and 50 miles an hour here. the wind is certainly started the rain has started. but our big concern tonight is the storm surge. we are very, very worried about it. as the wind moves the water from the ocean and the sound, right on top of us. people here have been forced to evacua evacuate. there's been a mandatory evacuation in place and for good reason. this is very low-lying area. officials are telling residents who decided to stay that now is the time to stay put, baton down the hatches and ride this one out. bill? >> okay, steve, watching what is now a category 2 storm there, but still, as you saw, very powerful. and for some, watching these big storms is more than just an accidental pursuit. we set out with a team of hurricane trackers in north carolina a

steve osunsami, abc news, memphis. >> on the one hand it's sad that public schools have to do -- resort to that. but on the secondhand, the generosity in the country exists for the kids, that's heartwarming to see. >> it's a wonderful lesson for these kids too. as thenter college, so often, ask for loans, ask for grants, you're going to be the recipient of them if you do the hard work. >> all they can say is no. always ask the question. >> that is the news for this ha >>> fierce flames. why the national guard admits blame for a destructive fire in utah. >>> then, secrets in store. >> i wish to this day that i hadn't done it. >> did a drugmaker launch an undercover recall? >>> and, tiger tale. >> oh my gosh! >> why these new amazing pictures of tigers at home are so significant. it's tuesday, september 21st. >> from abc news, this is "world news now." >> good morning and thanks for being with us on this tuesday. i'm vinita nair. >> i'm rob nelson. >>> the utah national guard is apologizing for starting a huge wildfire still burning outside of salt lake city. >> the guard commander says m

here's steve osunsami. >> reporter: it began with a home work assignment. >> hello. my name is isaac. >> reporter: the fifth graders were told to write letters to captain of industry. they wroe ceos and cfos and told them the abcs of attending school in inner city memphis. >> unfortunately most of the books in my school's library are falling apart. >> reporter: they never dreamed they would hear back. but they did. >> i walked in the library. and i saw so many books just stacked up, on one, big table. and i was really astonished. >> reporter: first, large corporations started sending them thousands of new textbooks. then, hewlett-packard gave them three, new computer labs and more than $100,000 in new computers. that tells you if you're right? the head of a sportings goods corporation sent them $30,000 in jump ropes and basketballs. but they're still exercising in a basement that's also used a storage room. tristan billing wrote the company that built the new yankees stadium, the rock 'n' roll hall of fame. and they're now building the students a $50,000 playground.

. >> reporter: steve osunsami, abc news, atlanta. >> and at least 100 other pastors around the country defied the government by endorsing political candidates from the pulpit. churches risk losing their tax exempt status if they engage in political activity. they hope to provoke a court case to challenge that law. but the government has not taken the bait. >>> in california, the so-called octo-mom says she's broke and facing foreclosure. this weekend, she had a yard sale, including a lot of baby clothes. shoppers could also buy a photo with her for $10 and a photo with her and her octuplets for $100. >>> and, when we come back, the epidemic of drug abuse that may start in your bathroom medicine epidemic of drug abuse that may start in your bathroom medicine cabinet. medicare by itset covert i don't want to spend my life worrying about what would happen if one of us got sick. [ male announcer ] now more than ever, ! you may be wondering: do i have the right medicare coverage? talk to the health plan experts at securehorizons to get the answers you need. [ woman ] life's too short to wor

here now is steve osunsami with details. >> reporter: bishop eddie long is considered one of the most anti-gay pastors in the country who once said homosexuality is a spiritual abortion. if today's accusations are true he might regret the day he led thousands through the streets of atlanta in protest of gays and same-sex marriage. >> woman and woman and man and man is not right. so that's why i stand with the bishop. >> reporter: in the lawsuits filed by three young men he recruited into the youth ministry at his gigantic church outside atlanta, they described him as a sexual predator who pushed them into sex, lavished them with expensive gifts, and sent them these photos, texts and e-mails when they were above the legal age of consent, but just 16 and 17 years old. they say he certainly doesn't look like a bishop here. >> what pastor in his right mind sends a picture of himself posing in a bathroom in a muscle shirt? none. none that i know o >> reporter: at the funeral of coretta scott king which took place at his church in 2006, some civil rights leaders refused to attend because lo

here now is steve osunsami with details. >> reporter: bishop eddie long is considered one of the most anti-gay pastors in the country who once said homosexuality is a spiritual abortion. if today's accusations are true he might regret the day he led thousands through the streets of atlanta in protest of gays and same-sex marriage. >> woman and woman and man and man is not right. so that's why i stand with the bishop. >> reporter: in the lawsuits filed by three young men he recruited into the youth ministry at his gigantic church outside atlanta, they described him as a sexual predator who pushed them into sex, lavished them with expensive gifts, and sent them these photos, texts and e-mails when they were above the legal age of consent, but just 16 and 17 years old. they say he certainly doesn't look like a bishop here. >> what pastor in his right mind sends a picture of himself posing in a bathroom in a muscle shirt? none. none that i know of. >> reporter: at the funeral of coretta scott king which took place at his church in 2006, some civil rights leaders refused to attend because

steve osunsami, abc news, memphis. >> on the one hand it's sad that public schools have to do -- resort to that. but on the secondhand, the generosity in the country exists for the kids, that's heartwarming to see. >> it's a wonderful lesson for these kids too. ask for loans, ask for grants, you're going to be the recipient of them if you do the hard work. >> all they can say is no. always ask the question. >> that is the news for this always ask the question. >> that is the news for this half hour. chubby checker: hi, i'm chubby checker. a new twist in the law makes it easier than ever to save on your medicare prescription drug plan costs. so what are you waiting for? go to www.socialsecurity.gov and apply for extra help. it's easier than learning the twist. >>> fierce flames. why the national guard admits blame for a destructive fire in utah. >>> then, secrets in store. >> i wish to this day that i hadn't done it. >> did a drugmaker launch an undercover recall? >>> and, tiger tale. >> oh my gosh! >> why these new amazing pictures of tigers at home are so significant. it's tuesday, sep

steve osunsami, abc news, memphis. >> on the one hand it's sad that public schools have to do -- resort to that. but on the secondhand, the generosity in the country exists for the kids, that's heartwarming to see. >> it's a wonderful lesson for these kids too. ask for loans, ask for grants, you're going to be the recipient of them if you do the hard work. >> all they can say is no. always ask the question. >> that is the news for this half hour. coming up we've got much more ?wh >>> fierce flames. why the national guard admits blame for a destructive fire in utah. >>> then, secrets in store. >> i wish to this day that i hadn't done it. >> did a drugmaker launch an undercover recall? >>> and, tiger tale. >> oh my gosh! >> why these new amazing pictures of tigers at home are so significant. it's tuesday, september 21st. >> from abc news, this is "world news now." >> good morning and thanks for being with us on this tuesday. i'm vinita nair. >> i'm rob nelson. >>> the utah national guard is apologizing for starting a huge wildfire still burning outside of salt lake city. >> the guard comm

steve osunsami, abc news, memphis. >> you have to cheer the kids and the corporations. hope you have a great night. join us here tomorrow. captioned by closed captioning services, inc. this is "jeopardy!" let's meet today's contestants-- an archives assistant from minneapolis, minnesota...

steve osunsami, abc news, memphis. >> you have to cheer the kids and the corporations. hope you have a great night. join us here tomorrow. america needs clean energy, and america needs jobs. wind power can deliver on both - but only if the senate encourages investment by passing a strong renewable electricity standard. with a strong res, we can keep 85,000 wind power workers on the job, and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, too. jobs that america could really use right now. for american jobs, tell your senators to pass a renewable electricity standard today. hey, let me see that map for a second.

. >> reporter: steve osunsami, abc news, atlanta. >>> the hunt continues for three men who pulled off a dramatic bank robbery in south florida. investigators caught a break this weekend when the car used in the heist was found in coral gables. it all began last week when three thieves placed a bomb on the teller's chest and forced him to withdraw large amounts of money. sources tell abc news that bomb was a fake. >>> pirates have made the waters off the horn of africa the most dangerous in the world and they have been at it again this morning. a greek-operated cargo ship has been hijacked off somalia just after it came through the gulf of aden. the ship should arrive near the coast of somalia later this morning. >>> the new round of middle east peace talks has entered a crucial phase. the palestinians have threatened to walk out if more jewish settlements are built on the west bank. >> that new construction could begin as early as today. simon mcgreggor-wood is joining us from jerusalem with the latest. good morning, simon. >> reporter: good morning, mike and vinita. that's right, the

and our steve osunsami is waiting for earl in hatteras. >> reporter: on hatteras island >> back to jersey. visitors from across the world were told the hurricane is >> pain in the butt. >> reporter: bill and his family were forced to abandon their two-week vacation and drive back to maryland tonight. >> rented a big house and they kicked us out this morning. >> reporter: a group of friends who planned to spend the week in this house is now on the road to canada. >> we're heading back to >> yes, 18 hours, straight. >> reporter: today, the one road off the island was a slow-moving mess. >> they won't let us stay. they're going to make us sit in this traffic. >> reporter: the storm is skirt the eastern coastline. but state officials worry it could change its mind. >> there have been times when people have sworn to us that on top of us. >> reporter: fema is shipping bottled water, generators and 300,000 peoples to north carolina and massachusetts. >> we could see watches and warnings continue to move up the east coast. residents to have an evacuation plan ready to go if the evacuation orders

>> a rough night for steve osunsami. >>> let's go back to elizabeth. you're at the weather wall with where the storm's going next. >> right, george. earl is the most powerful hurricane to threaten the northeast in nearly 20 years. the storm is causing major travel delays, during this busy holiday weekend. at least 50 continental flights have been canceled from newark. and amtrak has canceled trains from newport news to parts of virginia. the northeast is anxiously awaiting earl's blast. we go, now, to john berman on montauk, on the eastern end of long island, the way earl is affecting things there. good morning, john. >> reporter: good morning, elizabeth. well, no wind here yet but some serious waves. this beach i'm standing on right now is one of the best surf spots on the entire east coast. we have no surfers here. several came by and they said, not me. not today. the waves are already ten feet high in some cases. one of the big concerns on beaches like this is erosion. when the storm gets going, the water will come up and cover the entire beach. cov

steve osunsami has the latest. steve? >> reporter: onin across atlanta and on black syndicated radio across the country, they're all asking whether bishop eddie long, of new birth missionary baptist church, said enough. it was the first time he addressed the sex scandal before him. ♪ it was one of the most well attended sunday services here in years, some 8,000 parishioners who waited for hours in traffic and came to hear their pastor answer his accusers. >> this is probably the most difficult time in my entire life. >> reporter: it was pure th the buildup, his arrival. bishop eddie long refusing to say much, but never denying accusations he took boys on trips and showered them with expensive gifts. >> it will be tried in the court of justice and dealt with in the court of justice. i feel like david against goliath. but i got five rocks, and i haven't thrown one yet. >> reporter: after the service, he held a news conference where, under the advice of his lawyers, he again said very little. >> i am going to fight, fight

for "good morning america," steve osunsami. >> a lot of questions. >>> now, a peek at "world news" and what they're reporting on for tonight. here's diane sawyer. >> hello, juju. good wednesday morning to you. tonight on "world news," a powerful investigation. teenage girls being tricked and lured into the sex trade in america. girls from the suburbs. girls still in school. how does it happen? and where is it happening? a big investigation breaking tonight. >> unimaginable. that's the news at 8:04. >>> time, now, for the weather lkith he, now, for the weather go ahead, ladies. [ cheers ] and by the way, juju, i want to show you in a our friend, kelly orni high high-heel-a-thon, in central park. our live shot from our friends at wabc. live on "regis and kelly" she'll be running with 500 women, along with kristin chenoweth. tim gunn is a roving reporter for all this. the report will support the heart truth campaign for women's heart health education research. you have to show up in three-inch-high heels or you can't run. can't can't run in regular run shoes. all that thmorn we were kind

steve osunsami has the report on the new allegations. >> reporter: 23-year-old jamal parris, stood by the allegations. he called bishop eddie long a predator. he said he swept into his life, used him for sex, and then moved on. >> i cannot get the small of his cologne. and i cannot forget the way he made me cry when i drove his cars on the way home. not able to take enough showers to wipe the smell of him off of my body. >> reporter: his lawsuit reaches much like the other three. when he was 17, he said long would take him alone to the guesthouse. and encouraged jamal parris to call him daddy. and used the holy scripture to justify and support the sexual activity. >> that man cannot look me in my eye and tell me we did not live this pain. you are not a man. you are a monster. >> reporter: parris' attorney sat down with us last night. and she said the young men were brave to come forward. >> if you are a victim and you are a young man or a boy, no matter when it happened in your life, it is time to stand up and get to someone. and tell them, come forward now. >> i'm going to fight. >>

steve osunsami is covering the story in atlanta. steve? >> reporter: good morning, ashleigh. we expect the pews at the church to be quite full this morning. all week long there have been rumors that bishop eddie long might step down today, but his people are telling us that's just not the case and that he plans to stay. >> thank god for them. >> reporter: he's the leader of one of the largest african-american churches in the world with some 25,000 members and 250 acres, and this morning's sermon is his first public response to the four young men who say he pushed them into sex. his accusers say there is a pattern. >> it's a progression and it's different with each one in terms of how it starts. sometimes it's a hug. it's a kiss, throwing your leg, will you massage me at the gym and then it progresses from there. >> reporter: in the fourth lawsuit filed on friday, 22-year-old spencer legrande says he was 17 when the preacher first put the moves on him. he says long had taken him on a eight-day trip to kenya with stops in london, gave him a tablet of ambien. and told him, it wo

steve osunsami now reports from cape hatteras. >> reporter: on hatteras island -- >> back to jersey. >> reporter: thousands of visitors from across the world were told the hurricane is coming too close and they would have to leave. >> pain in the butt. >> reporter: bill eiler and his family were forced to abandon their two-week vacation and drive back to maryland -- >> rented a big house in frisco. they kicked us out this morning. >> reporter: a group of friends who planned to spend the week in this house near rodanthe is now on the road to canada. >> we're heading back to montreal. >> 18 hours? >> yes, 18 hours straight. >> reporter: the one road off the island was a slow-moving mess. >> they won't let us stay. they're going to make us sit in this traffic. >> reporter: the storm is fearsome and still forecast to skirt the eastern coastline. but state officials worry it could change its mind. >> there have been times people have sworn to us it's not going to touch us and within three hours it's right on top of us. >> reporter: fema is already shipping bottled water, generators and 30

. >> that is steve osunsami reporting. >>> as we yet ready for race for the cure this weekend we want to you truly understand breast cancer. so coming up, how you can make sure that you're getting the best care possible. if you ever have to fight breast cancer or know somebody who does. also, have you ever heard your son or daughter swear recently? how young are they when they first say their dirty words? we'll look at that and why we all could be to blame for the potty mouths. >>> it's "think pink" week. as we continue to count down the days until the komen maryland race for the cure it's now six days away. the race is sunday in hunt valley. three weeks earlier than it's been in the past. at abc2 news we'll once again be live on the air to broadcast the whole event from 7:00 in the morning to 9:00 in the morning. if you would like to take part there's still time to sign up. you actually save money if you do it ahead of time. head to our web site, abc2news.com. when you get there all you have to do is look at the top of the page, click on the lifestyle tab. then scroll down and click

steve osunsami has the latest. steve? >> reporter: good morning, george. across atlanta and across black syndicated radio across the country, they're all asking whether bishop eddie long of new birth missionary baptist church said enough. it was the first time he addressed the sex scandal before him. ♪ it was one of the most well attended sunday services here in years, some 8,000 parishioners who wait for hours in traffic and came to hear their pastor answer his accusers. >> this is probably the most difficult time in my entire life. >> reporter: it was pure theater. the buildup to the bishop refusing to say much but never denying accusations he took them on trips and showered them with expensive gifts. >> it will be tried in the court of justice and dealt with in the court of justice. i feel like david against goliath. but i got five rocks, and i haven't thrown one yet. >> reporter: after the service he held a news conference where under the advice of his lawyers he again said very little. >> i am going to fight, fight very vigorously. >> reporter: afte

our steve osunsami has more. >> reporter: he's one of the largest figures in the black church today. bishop eddie long, the head of a megachurch outside of atlanta, with some 25,000 members. and now, two of them say he had sex with them when they were teenagers. >> allegations are that sexual things started to happen at the ages of 17 and 18 years old. >> reporter: today, maurice robinson and anthony flag are in their 20s. and in two, separate lawsuits, they say that bishop long held private, spiritual ceremonies, with they say he coerced certain young male members and employees into acts of sexual relationships. they say he showered them with cars, clothes, jewelry and electronics. and flew them across the world in private jets and put them up in luxury hotels. they were 17, above the age of consent. but say long violated his fiduciary duty by pushing them into sex. outside of the church last night, after bible study, they refused to believe it. >> this man loved his wife, with a passion. >> reporter: the church says one of the men was arrested this summer. and charged with stealing