cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/47246639

Cindy Clemishire, 55, the woman who publicly identified herself as the victim of Morris’s sexual abuse, was present in the courtroom as he pleaded guilty. In a prepared statement she told him: “There is no such thing as consent from a 12-year-old child. We were never in an ‘inappropriate relationship.’ I was not a ‘young lady’ but a child. You committed a crime against me.”

A leaked transcript of a phone call revealed that in 2005 Morris tried to bribe Clemishire into silence, telling her to “put a price on it”.

He also became a spiritual adviser to Donald Trump. He joined the White House spiritual advisory committee during the first Trump presidency and was part of a campaign to mobilize evangelical voters for him in last year’s presidential campaign.

Trump also visited Gateway church in 2020 where he praised Morris and his senior team as “great people with a great reputation”.

  • whereyaaat@lemmings.world
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    13 hours ago

    This is why republicans are united in keeping the truth about Epstein away from the public.

    They are all pedophiles or pedophile protectors.

  • NotSteve_@piefed.ca
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    1 day ago

    He was sentenced to 10 years in custody, but as part of a plea deal will serve only six months in county jail.

    What the fuck are you guys doing, USAmerica

      • Karjalan@lemmy.world
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        20 hours ago

        The “won’t somebody please think of the children” crowd that justify horrific treatment and murder of lgbtq people because, somehow, them just existing is a threat to his, are AOK with letting actual child rapists off with a sight tap on the wrist… Or nothing, as long as they are on the same team

  • orclev@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    Considering everything we know about Trump, yeah this guy would 100% be his spiritual advisor, they’re cut from the same cloth. He would have fit right in alongside Trump in Epstein’s club.

  • Gates9@sh.itjust.works
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    19 hours ago

    Tell me again why the Democrats dropped the “weird” characterization for republicans? Maybe they should have gone with “lewd and indecent”.

    • 3abas@lemmy.world
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      17 hours ago

      Because they also have many pedophiles in their ranks and they want you to move on from it. They do the bare minimum to let you think they care, but nothing effective.

  • Soktopraegaeawayok@lemmy.world
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    10 hours ago

    So, I hate this stuff of course, these guy’s are despicable. That said, this happened in 1982, she was 12 he was 21. That doesn’t make it any better, maybe even worse. It happened over 40 years ago though. Like, what were they both doing? That dude had all that time to atone somehow maybe, pay out, make amends, maybe discreetly confess and serve time? or anything. But also, what was she doing for over 40 years? Ok… nvm, it’ll just sound bad if I criticize her right now. Its a little weird though… like im 41 and can hardly remember 12-16. She is 55. My question is why only now does she reveal this. What changed? Did they maybe already have some sort of “unspoken” understanding?

    • andros_rex@lemmy.world
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      6 hours ago

      She made the allegations 35 years ago. But because he was one of the “good old boys,” no one did anything.

      According to a statement posted on social media from elders at the church, the allegations were brought to light 35 years ago.

      After that, he stepped away from ministry for two years to receive counseling. He acknowledged in a sermon in 2014 that he was “sexually immoral” when he was a teenager.

      He returned to ministry in March of 1989, two years after his abuse was exposed, he says with blessing from the girl’s father and church elders.

      A teenage girl, in Texas. Where it is legal to fuck kids if you marry them. Her dad even took the rapist fuck’s side. He admitted to it to his flock, but characterized it as consensual.

      She probably did tell a cop, who probably asked her what she did to entice him. People on here have this delusion where reporting rape does anything. I know of a local middle school where a teacher fucked kids for decades before finally enough spoke up for them to do anything.

    • D_C@sh.itjust.works
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      10 hours ago

      From the article:
      “… Clemishire went public. She had spent years trying to hold her abuser accountable…”

      So next time you try to muddy the waters by asking about the victims motivations etc I suggest you read the article. The answer may be in there next time just like it is this time.

      Also, and this is from personal experience, it’s not easy to accept when you have been taken advantage of. Coming to terms with guilt. Blaming yourself etc etc etc.
      If you do get over that then it’s still not easy to face your attacker(s).
      And I would guess that if your attacker was/is very rich and, apparently, respected/good reputation in their community it’s going to be even harder to get people to believe you.

      In short, fuck off with your victim blaming bullshit.

      • Soktopraegaeawayok@lemmy.world
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        9 hours ago

        Lol. Thanks for using that quote. “spent years trying to hold her abuser accountable…”

        Im sorry, but what does that even mean? And since the article is only vague about it, we don’t know. But we can assume she realistically could have made a police report within those 40 years. I read this article and others related to it. Motives are very relevant in this issue because it took over 40 years for these charges to be brought against him. Im sorry if considering motives “muddies the water” for you, but it is relevant and important.

        • D_C@sh.itjust.works
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          7 hours ago

          Wow, you are either a troll or being deliberately obtuse and pedantic.

          The good news is that I worked out years ago that life is too short to deal with things like you. The even better news is she got the justice she needed. The paedo admitted his guilt. And you made yourself look like an absolutely terrible person.
          Buhbye, you’re blocked.

        • D_C@sh.itjust.works
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          7 hours ago

          Wow, you are either a troll, or being deliberately obtuse and pedantic. Either way life is too short to deal with things like you.

          The good news is she got the justice she needed. The paedo admitted his guilt and then pleaded guilty. And you made yourself look like an absolutely terrible person. Buhbye, you’re blocked.

    • Llamalitmus@lemmy.ca
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      7 hours ago

      Are you suggesting there should be a statute of limitations for statutory rape/abuse of a minor, esp from a person in a position of authority and a religious/community leader. Would you want someone with that kind of power/influence to have no kind of public accountability? Should people like that be able to just wait out the clock and get away with it? I’m not sure I’d want to have to wonder if my community leader got away with something like this due to a technicality [or because they were able to successfully intimate, bribe, or otherwise dissuade a victim from going public]. I’d want to know that the proper checks and balances are in place to keep the public safe from someone who would take advantage of a child in this way. And I’d wonder and be concerned about anyone who doesn’t want that.