September 13, 2004
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Sun Sep 12, 7:55 AM ET
By William Lobdell Times Staff Writer
Televangelist Paul Crouch has waged a fierce legal battle to prevent Enoch Lonnie Ford, a former employee, from publicizing allegations that he and Crouch had a sexual encounter eight years ago.
Crouch, 70, is the president of Trinity Broadcasting Network whose Christian programming reaches millions of viewers around the world via satellite, cable and broadcast stations.
After Ford threatened to sue TBN in 1998, Crouch reached a $425,000 settlement with him. In return, Ford agreed not to discuss his claim about a sexual encounter with the TV preacher.
After the alleged sexual encounter, Ford continued to work at TBN. For a time, he lived rent-free in an apartment at the network's Tustin headquarters.
TBN officials acknowledged that the ministry paid some of Ford's debts. They said the network commonly extends such generosity to employees in financial trouble
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