Robert Morris warned sex abuse accuser she could be prosecuted for seeking compensation, emails show

Report: Pastor Robert Morris Accused of Sexual Abuse
Last week, pastor Robert Morris resigned from Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, after publicly confessing to engaging in “sexual behavior” with a child. Emails obtained by NBC News reveal that the accuser, Cindy Clemishire, had confronted Morris and sought compensation twenty-three years prior to his confession.
Seeking Restitution
- Cindy Clemishire wrote an email to Robert Morris on September 20, 2005, expressing the pain and damage caused by him.
- She requested restitution and asked Morris to pray about it and call her.
- Morris responded two weeks later, expressing care for Clemishire and stating that he had already confessed his sins to her father.
- He warned that paying her money under a threat of exposure could lead to criminal prosecution.
Attempts for Compensation
- The emails exchanged between Clemishire, Morris, and a former Gateway elder in 2005 reveal Clemishire’s attempts to seek compensation for the trauma she experienced as a child.
- Clemishire emphasized that individuals who commit child molestation are typically imprisoned and pay punitive damages, while Morris had faced no consequences.

Public Allegations and Resignation
- At the urging of a retired pastor, Clemishire went public with her allegations against Morris on The Wartburg Watch website.
- In an interview with NBC News, she accused Morris of molesting her for years starting when she was 12 years old.
- Morris has not been charged with a crime and did not respond to a request for comment.
- Gateway Church initially acknowledged Morris’ sexual encounters with a “young lady” but later accepted his resignation following backlash.

Gateway Church’s Response
- Gateway Church’s board of elders initially believed Morris’ extramarital relationship was with a “young lady” and not child abuse.
- They acknowledged Morris’ transparency and repentance but faced criticism from church members and elected officials.
- The board accepted Morris’ resignation and hired a law firm to investigate the matter.
Questions on Investigation
- One Gateway Church elder, Tom Lane, was aware of Clemishire’s attempts to seek compensation but may not have been aware of the child sexual abuse allegations.
- Lane believed Clemishire was under 18 and old enough to consent to a sexual relationship with Morris.
- Clemishire’s lawyer questioned why Gateway elders did not investigate Morris’ claims and blindly accepted his narrative.
Unanswered Emails
- The emails do not include Clemishire’s response to Lane’s message, indicating that she wanted to address the matter directly with Morris.
- Clemishire wrote to Morris again, expressing the emotional damage she had suffered and giving him one last chance to call her.
- Morris never called, and Clemishire did not follow up on setting up a meeting with him.
Correction: Richard Harmer is Tom Lane’s spokesperson, not his lawyer.
Source: nbcnews.com