Two former Gateway Church elders on Friday have lost their bid to be removed from a $1 million defamation lawsuit filed by sexual assault survivor Cindy Clemishire.
Dallas County Judge Emily Tobolowsky issued the ruling after a hearing Friday, saying the case can move forward.
Steve Dulin and Kevin Grove, both former elders, had argued they shouldn’t be part of the suit under the Texas Citizens Participation Act, legislation designed to protect people from meritless or retaliatory legal claims.
Defamation suit filed
Clemishire and her father filed the suit against Gateway Church in June of last year. It names the church, its founding pastor, Robert Morris, wife, Debbie, along with former and current elders and a staff member. In their suit, the Clemishires alleged the church downplayed and mischaracterized abuse she suffered as a child at the hands of Mr. Morris…