Former Pastor Stovall Weems Reopens Defamation Lawsuit Against Celebration Church

Celebration Church’s founders have reopened a defamation lawsuit against the church, trustees, and Lee Wedekind III, a lawyer involved in the original case, calling the “defamatory” report a “widespread public dissemination.” Former pastor Stovall Weems and his wife, Kerri, resigned from the church last April after a 22-page report accused them of fraud, self-absorption, and spiritual abuses.

The investigation, conducted by the Nelson Mullins law firm, portrayed the former pastor as narcissistic and mentally unstable. The report claims the Weems’ compensation, staff, travel, and expense accounts comprised approximately 10% of the church’s total revenue.

The couple has maintained their innocence, accusing the church of slander, and since terminating their role, have continued their ministry separate from Celebration Church.

According to the amended suit, Pastor and Mrs. Weems allege the church and trustees leaked the investigation report, filled with “blatantly false statements” and “weaponized” false information to inflict harm on others,” to the press. The suit continues that the defendants, the church, trustees, and Wedekind, were aware the statements were false and refuted by information and documents they deliberately omitted from the report.

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Circuit Judge Marianne Aho dismissed the original lawsuit filed last month to avoid entangling the courts with “matters of church governance.” The order included an option for the Weems to amend their lawsuit within 20 days. The amended lawsuit fits within the timeline.

The new complaint emphasizes Celebration shared the “defamatory” report in a staff meeting and created a link on their website. Pastor and Mrs. Weems both claim the defendants knew and intended the report would be “widely viewed, disseminated publicly, and reported on in the press.”

Another line argued that sensitive information gathered on Mrs. Weems was without permission and violated Mrs. Weems’ privacy. It stated, “The assertion that K. Weems has a ‘history of clinical depression’ could only have been based on medical records and other private mental health information surreptitiously and illegally obtained by Defendants.”

The suit claims Pastor and Mrs. Weems suffered humiliation, mental anguish, emotional distress, and embarrassment as a direct and proximate result of Celebration Church’s “false and defamatory statements.”

The couple seeks $30,000 in damages, exclusive of interest, costs, and attorneys’ fees.