Orlando Baptist’s lead Pastor David Janney admits to sexual encounter with lead volunteer, and documents show he orchestrated a payoff and cover-up that involved high ranking church officials. Victim finally speaks out.
By Jacob Engels
The East Orlando Post has obtained a lawsuit that was filed against Orlando Baptist Church in December on behalf of a parishioner and top volunteer who had an extramarital affair with Pastor David Janney. The lawsuit was originally reported on by Mike DeForest at WKMG in December,
Janney, who filed bankruptcy documents last year stating that he had nearly $17,000,000 in debts and a little over a $1,000,000 in assets, preyed on Arlene Miranda and coerced her into a sexual liaison according to the lawsuit.
It all started in September of 2015, when Pastor Janney starting sending lewd and sexually suggestive text messages to Ms. Miranda, according to text messages provided as evidence in the court filing.
“You’re beautiful, sexy, you’re body is amazing,” read one of the messages. Janney would also recount his “dreams” and “fantasies” that involved Miranda, which he described as occurring “whenever he was alone”.
After the sexual encounter, Ms. Miranda felt remorseful and saddened by her actions and then approached Senior Adults Pastor Don Norman. Mr. Norman then instructed Ms. Miranda to utilize biblical teachings and core beliefs to get through this rough patch, but after learning that the man with whom she had an affair with was Pastor Janney, Norman told Miranda she must remain silent.
He further instructed Miranda to think about how her wanting to apologize to Janney’s wife for her actions would negatively impact the church, worship, and the whole Orlando Baptist family. Norman said it was her religious duty to remain silent. Shortly thereafter, Pastor Janney began sending threatening text messages to Ms. Miranda about talking to Norman and targeted Miranda and her children.
Top church officials then organized a meeting between Ms. Miranda’s lawyer, who was representing her in a paternity case, and asked her to come to the church offices to discuss the situation. Alisha Jiminez, Ms. Miranda’s lawyer, then recommend she sign a non-disclosure agreement and promise to not disparage the church or Pastor Janney. In return, she would be given $3,000.00.
A fellow parishioner who is aware of the situation told us that Pastor Janney had secured a “donor” who wanted to “protect the church” to cover the cost of the agreement between Orlando Baptist and Ms. Miranda. Ultimately, Orlando Baptist would not fulfill their end of the agreement and did not pay Ms. Miranda the agreed upon $3,000.00 that was going towards fixing her vehicle.
The official lawsuit filed against Orlando Baptist Church, including the erotic text messages.
According to our sources, Orlando Baptist Church officials have hired a “fixer” who specializes in minimizing the damage caused to the church and Pastor Janney as a result of his sexual liaison with Ms. Miranda and subsequent threatening efforts to cover up the scandal. Church officials have remained quiet on the matter, and up until today, so has Ms. Miranda.
In a statement provided to the East Orlando Post, Miranda spoke publicly for the first time, where she talks about the aftermath of her encounter with Janney.
“Last year, I was persuaded to have a sexual relationship with Orlando Baptist Church’s Senior Pastor David Janney. Throughout my seven years’ of service at megachurch Orlando Baptist Church, he was my spiritual leader; I trusted him and put my faith in him. When he asked me to meet him at the church offices that day, I had no idea it would lead to sex, and eventually to being shunned by the community I loved.
I went to the other pastors to confess this grave mistake. They told me I had a duty to not tell anyone about what happened, and to protect the church. I was victimized a second time when I was coerced into signing a confidentiality agreement, using an attorney who claimed to represent me but who was paid by the church.
As a result of these incidents of misconduct on the part of church leaders, I recently filed a lawsuit against Orlando Baptist Church. On Sunday, January 31, 2016 the Orlando Baptist Church will host a meeting at 4:00 p.m. to discuss a religious process called the “restoration process” for the church and the Pastor.
Typically, the purpose of a restoration process is to seek repentance while minimizing the public awareness of the sin. Last month, Pastor John-Erik Moseler even issued a public statement noting the Church would not address this matter in the public arena. Unfortunately, not a moment goes by when my awareness of the sin and its aftermath is minimized. There is no restoration process for me as I am left betrayed and shunned by my church, its pastor, and many members of my church family.”
Legal powerhouse GrayRobinson is representing Miranda in her lawsuit. Lead attorney Mayanne Downs told the East Orlando Post that Janney does not pray, he preys.
“All that is required for a man like Janney to continue to prey — rather than pray — on those around him is for the leaders and members of this church to do nothing.” Downs went on to explain that Miranda looked to men like Pastor Don Norman for spiritual guidance, and instead was told to shut her mouth and move on.
“As said in our lawsuit on Ms. Miranda’s behalf, she looked to men like Pastor Don Norman and Mr. McLauren for spiritual support and guidance. Instead they told her to keep quiet to protect the church. John-Erik Moseler told her he was a “pastor fixer,” who specializes in covering up these kinds of acts.”
Sources tell us that during the discovery process, evidence will show that Janney systematically and methodically selected Miranda because of her lack of financial resources and political connections.
“This is going to be a very rough year for the Janney clan. They have been bilking our members for years to sustain their lavish lifestyle and out of control spending. It comes as no surprise that Pastor Janney’s personal life is just as predatory as his financial dealings.
Modesty, humility, and decency are not words known or understood by himself and those supporting his disgusting and abhorrent actions.”
Emails and calls went un-returned to the Pastor and church leadership listed on the Orlando Baptist website. Orlando Baptist will hold a restoration process tomorrow, which is likely geared towards an attempt at restoring trust between the church and its leaders.
Instead of a fake and self-serving “restoration process”, Pastor Janney and Orlando Baptist leaders should focus on getting their personal houses in order and publicly address their egregious actions against Arlene Miranda.
Jacob Engels, is the Founder of East Orlando Post & Seminole County Post. He is a seasoned political operative who has led numerous statewide political groups and has worked on several high-profile local, statewide, and national races. Jacob has been interviewed on national television & radio programs, with his work having been featured in the Orlando Sentinel, New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald and other publications nationwide. He can be reached at info@eastorlandopost.com
