Columbus bishop accused of sexually abusing and harassing several followers

COLUMBUS (OH)
The Columbus Dispatch

February 6, 2018

By Danae King

A property dispute has brought to light sexual-assault allegations against a Columbus bishop who founded a group of Pentecostal churches around the world.

The allegations against Bishop Joseph White, 81, founder and presiding bishop emeritus of the Church of the Living God International (CLGI), which is headquartered in Columbus and has 102 locations worldwide, were formally made to church leaders in June 2017. The allegations were then investigated by the church’s board of directors — two of whom are White’s sisters — in August, but the results have not been disclosed.

In a lawsuit filed in a Virginia court in December, five of White’s followers — one from Reynoldsburg — accuse him of sexual abuse and harassment over more than 20 years.

That same month, White retired from the church.

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