A former Texas megachurch pastor is at the center of a new civil lawsuit accusing him and others of concealing years of child sexual abuse for personal gain.

Robert Morris, who stepped down from Gateway Church in 2024, is being sued in Texas by Cindy Clemishire, who alleges he abused her as a child in the 1980s and that his family and affiliates helped cover it up to protect their financial interests, Fox News reported.

The lawsuit, filed in Dallas County District Court in June 2025, names the former pastor, his immediate family, and several people connected to his church. The filing accuses them of knowingly hiding a long-term pattern of sexual abuse that began when the plaintiff was just 12 years old.

Cindy Clemishire, now 53, claims the abuse began in 1982 and continued for more than four years. She says she first met Morris in 1981 when he was preaching at the Oklahoma-based church she attended with her family. The two families reportedly grew close around that time.

Allegations Span Years and State Lines

Though the alleged abuse occurred in Oklahoma, the lawsuit was filed in Texas, where Morris later gained prominence as founder and pastor of Gateway Church. Clemishire’s suit asserts multiple legal claims, including defamation, slander, libel, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil conspiracy.

Cindy and her father, Jerry Lee Clemishire, brought the civil case together. They also made their claims public less than a year ago through The Wartburg Watch, a blog known for monitoring religious organizations and misconduct within them.

In addition to claims against Robert Morris, the lawsuit names his wife, sons, and various Gateway Church members, alleging they cooperated in a “fraudulent” effort to conceal the abuse. The court filing argues that this group acted together to protect their reputations and secure financial benefits from the church’s influence and reach.

Criminal Case Preceded Civil Filing

The civil lawsuit follows a related criminal indictment issued in March 2024 by an Oklahoma grand jury. That indictment charged Morris with five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. He is currently out on bond while awaiting court proceedings on those criminal charges.

The new lawsuit requests more than $1 million in damages, arguing that the consequences of the abuse and the subsequent secrecy imposed lifelong trauma on the plaintiff. The complaint also emphasizes the collective role of those within Morris’s circle in helping him avoid accountability for decades.

According to the complaint, Morris’s family and associates allegedly acted together “to maximize their profits” and intentionally misled others about what took place. This, the suit claims, constitutes both an ethical and legal violation benefiting the accused at the victim’s expense.

Resignation and Counter-Suit by Morris

Morris resigned from Gateway Church in June 2024, months after the criminal indictment became public. His departure raised questions about the church’s internal handling of abuse claims and triggered additional scrutiny of its financial dealings with Morris.

In a separate legal development, Morris has filed a lawsuit of his own. He is suing Gateway Church for breach of contract, claiming that although he had a “highly inappropriate” relationship with a minor, it did not violate the financial terms of his agreement with the church.

Morris’s counter-lawsuit argues that Gateway still owes him deferred compensation, severance, and additional retirement funds. Reports suggest these payments could amount to several million dollars, sparking outrage from some former congregants and observers of the case.

Legal Battle Extends Beyond Individual Accusations

The civil suit against Morris and his affiliates expands the scope of legal action beyond his conduct. By including multiple defendants and financial allegations, the lawsuit suggests a broader structure was involved in the concealment efforts.

By targeting both personal and organizational figures, the Clemishires appear to be pressing the courts not only for financial compensation but for institutional accountability. This strategy may mirror other recent lawsuits involving abuse charges within religious organizations.

The case highlights ongoing debate over how churches and their leaders address internal allegations of abuse, particularly when financial interests are intertwined with reputational damage control. Legal experts expect the case to draw national attention as it proceeds.