Since the release of the Sexual Abuse report generated by Guidestone Solutions, the SBC has been subject to much self-imposed litigation in part because they opened themselves up to liability, but also due to claims of slander of those they accused of sexual abuse. Despite a lack of sexual abuse or coverups in the SBC, the costs of litigation have placed a financial strain on the Executive Committee. Johnny Hunt has been the most high-profile of lawsuits as he has alleged damages in an exorbitant salary.
In a recent filing, Judge William Campbell issued the following summary judgment:
Pending before the Court are Defendants’ motions for summary judgment (Doc. Nos. 216, 222, 229), which are fully briefed. For the reasons stated in the forthcoming Memorandum, the motions for summary judgment are GRANTED IN PART as follows: Guidepost’s motion is GRANTED as to all claims. The motions by the Southern Baptist Convention (“SBC”) and the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention (“Executive Committee”) are GRANTED as to the claims for false light (Count III), public disclosure of embarrassing private facts (Count VI), negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress (Counts IV and V), and the defamation claim (Count I) arising out of the Report and the Letter. SBC and the Executive Committee’s motion are DENIED as to the defamation claim (Count I) based on the Tweet. It is so ORDERED.
Thought the detailed explanation is not featured, this is a judicial victory for the SBC. Guidepost is essentially granted a favorable judgment against any liability for their report, as was the SBC for releasing the report, which detailed the claim of “abuse” between Johnny Hunt and Alisa Womack, which took place at a condo in Panama City. The third defendant, Bart Barber, was not so fortunate, as the court ruled that the defamation claim was not summarily dismissed.
The Barber Tweet was as follows:
Hunt was the subject of a third-party investigation in response to allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman half his age in ways that would, to my knowledge, constitute a felony in any jurisdiction in the US.
Bart Barber, December 5, 2022
In the tweet, which is still active, Barber clearly alleges that Hunt committed criminal sexual acts with Womack. He further worded it in such a way that makes Hunt appear like DiCaprio. Whether the caveat of “to my knowledge” gives absolution to the claim of defamation remains an open question for the case. Nevertheless, the ineptitude of Bart Barber has been a costly endeavor for the Southern Baptist Convention. Had he not spoken so carelessly, the entire case would have been granted summary judgment and the SBC would be saving tens of thousands in legal fees going forward. Instead, his oafishness has perpetuated the litigation.
From a reputational standpoint, there is no victory to be had for the SBC. The alleged compensation Hunt received from NAMB amounted to $610K in annual salary before speaking engagements, book sales, and other income. Such excessive compensation lends credence to claims of financial mismanagement and inefficiencies within the NAMB. Overall, even though the SBC is primed for legal victory against Johnny Hunt, the reputational damage will be even more costly.
H/T @SBCLitigation
