November 2, 200620 yr http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/loca...5112770,00.html Haggard denies sex allegations By Charlie Brennan, Rocky Mountain News November 2, 2006 A prominent evangelical preacher is denying allegations by a former gay male escort that the two had a three-year sexual relationship. Ted Haggard, founder of the 14,000-member New Life Church and president of the National Association of Evangelicals, told KUSA Channel 9 that the escort is lying. "I?ve never had a gay relationship with anybody, and I?m steady with my wife. I?m faithful to my wife," Haggard said. Mike Jones, 59, of Denver, made his allegations on the Peter Boyles show on KHOW 630 AM, saying he was compelled to come forward because he believes Haggard, an opponent of same-sex unions is being hypocritical. "After sitting back and contemplating this issue, the biggest reason (for exposing it) is being a gay man all my life, I have experience with my friends, some great sadness of people that were in a relationship through the years" and were not able to enjoy the same rights and privileges as a married man and woman," Jones told Boyles on air. "I felt it was my responsibility to my fellow brothers and sisters, that I had to take a stand, and I cannot sit back anymore and hear (what) to me is an anti-gay message." Jones, who told a bankruptcy judge last year that he is a self-employed fitness consultant, told Boyles that he was paid money by Haggard, who he says made frequent trips to Denver for sexual liaisons, that he has recorded voicemails and a letter from Haggard, and that he had also witnessed Haggard use methamphetamine. Jones offered to take a polygraph examination, and Boyles said that will occur Friday during his morning radio show. New Life Church has vowed to launch an independent investigation of the claims, but no details have been released yet on the process or timeline for the inquiry. Some community leaders in the Colorado Springs had scheduled a rally this afternoon in support of Haggard but canceled the gathering at the request of the church. Copyright 2006, Rocky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved.
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