(RNS) — A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction to halt what Church of God in Christ officials call defamatory statements by a gospel musician about their predominantly Black Pentecostal denomination.
The order, issued on Monday (Feb. 2) by Judge Mark Norris of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, seeks to prevent musician Moses Tyson Jr. from “publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any further defamatory statements” about the denomination, “including, but not limited to, any references to ‘thieves,’ ‘grand theft,’ ‘elder abuse,’ ‘fraud,’ or other similar accusations,” according to court records.
In a complaint filed Nov. 10 in a county court, COGIC, its general board and its general counsel alleged that Tyson has led a “malicious, nationwide campaign of libel and slander” against the denomination and its leaders. In recent months, court exhibits show, Tyson — who is a member of the denomination and is a cousin of the late musician Sly Stone — made accusations against the church in emails, podcasts and social media.
The case was later moved to federal court, where the preliminary injunction was issued. Lawyers for COGIC expect the court will issue a permanent injunction against Tyson, but a trial date has not been set. COGIC also is seeking $500,000 in compensatory damages from Tyson.
Included in the court records is a July 15 email Tyso …