In the spring of 2020, two high-level members of Perry Stone’s organization – a ministry leader, along with a Bradley County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant who is Stone’s head of security – were disgusted by the alleged sexual misconduct of the Cleveland, Tennessee-based televangelist.
The two men – in recordings of meetings and conversations obtained by the Chattanooga Times Free Press – expressed concern about their public image being connected to Stone.
The law enforcement officer described Stone as exhibiting “a predatory lifestyle.” The ministry leader said Stone had a “severe problem, probably a mental illness” and was living in a “false reality” about the situation, according to the recordings.
Yet, nearly two years later, both men remain active in Stone’s ministry and have played integral roles in defending Stone – one comparing the misconduct allegations against Stone to Jesus at the crucifixion and the other by physically removing a Stone critic from ministry property.
The nearly six hours of audio obtained by the Times Free Press offers a glimpse inside Stone’s internationally known Voice of Evangelism ministry in the spring of 2020 as Stone, his board of directors and other employees learned about the allegations of sexual harassment and assault against the televangelist. The allegations, from women either employed by or connected to the ministry, included groping, unwanted kissing, showing women he was aroused while fully clothed and rubbing himself, as well as asking women in his ministry about their breasts.