Bishop Eddie Long has finally denied seducing four men into sexual relationships, in a court filing on Monday. The New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor claims that although he often encourages his members to call him “daddy” and sometimes “granddaddy,” he was only a mentor to the men who filed civil lawsuits against him. He said in the filing that each of the “claims of sexual misconduct are not true.” While his attorney has repeatedly denied the allegations against Long this is the first time the mega church pastor has publicly refuted them.

As previously reported, Four me are suing Bishop Eddie Long for sexual misconduct, claiming Long used exotic trips, money, cars, jewelry and his spiritual authority to lure them into sexual relationships.