Minister Ted Haggard Accused by Male Escort
M-Taliesin
November 04, 2006
There is quite an uproar going on in Denver and Colorado Springs in particular over the allegations of a male escort who claims that a prominent evangelical minister had a sexual business relationship with him over the span of some 3 years.
Mike Jones first contacted KUSA channel 9 news in Denver with his claims regarding Pastor Ted Haggard of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs. He asserted that Haggard had sexual relations with him over a period of three years. Channel 9 was investigating the story, but had not aired any of this information while working quietly to verify information provided by Jones.
More recently, Jones sent an email to KHOW radio talk-show host Peter Boyles informing that he was a male escort who had a sexual relationship with a prominent religious leader in Colorado. There was some discussion between Boyles and Jones that resulted in an agreement that Jones would be a guest on the Peter Boyles morning radio program.
Mr. Jones repeated the claims made in his email to Boyles on live radio, but would not name the minister nor the church involved. Jones repeatedly stated his fear of retribution should he reveal the name and stated he was seeking advice from his attorney before going further. He did say, however, that the minister in question was actively promoting antigay legislation in Colorado.
The outrage of KHOW listeners soon exploded in a firestorm of anger against Mike Jones for making such claims and at Peter Boyles for having him on his morning radio show. The station was inundated by hostile calls from the largely conservative listeners of KHOW, along with a flood of email messages sent to the studio. Peter Boyles read many of those emails on the air, most attacking Boyles directly for airing this story. Irate listeners demanded to know the identity of the minister in question and speculated on several possible suspects.
When the show ended at 9:00 am, infuriated listeners had pounded Boyles for 4 solid hours, attacking his credibility, integrity, professionalism and motivations for having Jones on his show. In reality, such attacks were unwarranted and mostly unkind or outright hateful. Boyles, to his great credit, broke this story with sensitivity and objectivity.
Now that Boyles had broken ground on this story, the folks at KUSA channel 9 went into full swing on the story. Along with local newspapers, KUSA gave background on the story that had not been made public for several weeks since being contacted by Mr. Jones. Now they rushed to publish information and revealed much that Jones had kept confidential. For example, they revealed Mike Jones by name, along with the identity of the Ted Haggard of New Life Church. The cat was now officially “out of the bag” and the networks picked up the story somewhat belatedly the following day. Primary reporters from KUSA included investigative journalist Paula Woodward and investigative producer Amy Herdy.
In a video interview with Ted Haggard at his home, Haggard denied knowing Mike Jones. He disavowed all the allegations made by Jones on KHOW radio.
Back at KHOW, Peter Boyles once again invited Jones to be a guest on his show. The phone lines again were jammed with callers who were, for the most part, furious over the allegations that Ted Haggard had sexual congress with Mike Jones. Most attacked Jones on the basis of character and credibility. “How can you take the word of an avowed male prostitute over that of a man like Haggard?” said one. “ Boyles, you have sunk to a new low in tabloid broadcasting!” said another. Few wanted to know whether there was truth to the allegations, preferring instead to assault both men on the basis of integrity and credibility. Sacred cows do not slaughter without a great deal of ruckus!
Meanwhile, back at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Ted Haggard suddenly stepped down as senior pastor and also resigned as President of the National Association of Evangelicals. Martin Nussbaum, legal counsel for New Life Church, announced this stunning development. Haggard maintained he had no dealings with Mr. Jones.
Another bombshell was lobbed into the controversy by interim pastor Ross Parsley when he announced, “I don't have an accurate description about the precise details. I just know that there has been some admission of indiscretion, not admission to all of the material that has been discussed, but there is an admission of some guilt.”
Peter Boyles of KHOW again invited Mike Jones to visit the studio, this time armed with voice messages left on his machine by someone who identified himself as Art. Allegedly, the voice on the tape is Haggard’s. Voice expert Richard Sanders compared KUSA audio recordings of Haggard with those on the voice mail tape and they seem to match. "Overall, I would say it's probably the same person, from a scientific standpoint," said Sanders, after listening to the voice recordings.
One of those recordings is quoted here for context:
"Hi Mike, this is Art. Hey, I was just calling to see if we could get any more. Either $100 or $200 supply. And I could pick it up really anytime. I could get it tomorrow or we could wait till next week sometime and so I also wanted to get your address. I could send you some money for inventory but that's probably not working, so if you have it then go ahead and get what you can and I may buzz up there later today, but I doubt your schedule would allow that unless you have some in the house. Okay, I'll check in with you later. Thanks a lot, bye."
It was later announced that Ted Haggard’s middle name is Arthur.
Ted Haggard next claimed to reporters that he did buy methamphetamine once, but believed it to be wrong, so he simply disposed of it and never took any.
Haggard said in a KUSA TV interview, which also aired on CNN:
I did call him. I called him to buy some meth. But I threw it away. I was buying it for me but I never used it.”
That statement is at odds with what is stated on the recording. “I was just calling to see if we could get any more.” What would one want with more if he threw the first batch away? The statement denying methamphetamine use is inherently illogical.
Back at KHOW, Mike Jones stated he would be willing to take a polygraph test. Peter Boyles arranged for a polygraphist to administer the test at the studios of KHOW and the result indicated deception. However, polygraphist John Kresnik stated he had misgivings due to physiological factors that might influence results. Jones had not eaten properly and only slept a few hours over the 48 immediately prior to the examination. In addition, the stress of confronting a national figure on a public forum would likely impact results. Jones agreed to submit himself to additional testing at another time.
The next comment from Haggard indicated that he had visited hotels in Denver and wanted a massage. He claims a concierge referred him to Jones. Yet, he never stated which hotel referred him to Jones.
This particular bit of information seems laughable on face value. Denver has many certified massage therapists readily available throughout the city. Most have storefronts and operate their business with utmost professionalism. Many of the larger hotels in Denver will have massage therapists on staff. Moreover, within 40 miles of Denver are several schools that teach massage therapy and emphasize professionalism and ethical standards. What hotel in the city of Denver, or in nearby communities, would refer anyone to a male escort for a massage that can be easily provided by a therapist on staff or to one of the many professional massage therapists who provide this service locally? This simply does not make sense.
As I write this, events continue to unfold and more information is revealed with every new hour. It would seem wise to evaluate what is known at this time, through the rational and unemotional perspective of a viewer that doesn’t have a dog in this fight. To that end, I would like to place the following facts before the reader for consideration.
Mike Jones was a male escort who provided sex for pay services. He stated that he was motivated to expose Haggard for hypocrisy. Jones claims his motivation was to denounce someone who campaigned against gay rights, including support of an amendment to the Constitution of Colorado, to prohibit gay marriage; all the while turning to Jones for sex. Jones failed a lie detector test administered by a professional polygraphist who cited deception was indicated in the readings. Jones has credibility issues because of his background as a male escort who engaged in sex as a business activity. He also has implicated himself in providing a controlled substance, methamphetamine.
On the positive side of the Mike Jones ledger is that his story has remained consistent to this point. While the polygraphist did test Jones with deception resulting from the session, he also stated that Jone’s physical and mental state could produce misleading results. Jones has little to gain, and much peril in making these accusations. The possibility exists that law enforcement could press charges for prostitution and drug dealing in this case. Why would he place himself in such dire peril unless he was confident that he was speaking the truth? Additionally, he has physical evidence to support his claims.
Turning to Ted Haggard, we have proof that he lied regarding knowing Jones to begin with. Not only did he lie about knowing Jones, he lied about having any dealings with Jones. His claim of throwing away the methamphetamine he states he purchased from Jones seems untrue contrasted with his voice on tape seeking to purchase more of the product. Haggard is, by his own admission, guilty of purchasing methamphetamine and having it in his possession, whether or not he used the stuff. That’s a felony. He too is in peril of criminal charges being filed in this case. Haggard’s story has changed from not knowing Jones, to buying methamphetamine from him, to seeing him to receive a massage!
On the positive side of Haggard’s ledger, we must consider that a man is innocent until proven guilty. Haggard has, by statements made to media, implicated himself of deceit. We must also consider the ministry he has dedicated so much time and energy to and the good that has flowed from that work. He is a family man with a wife and 5 children and a leader in the community.
It will be interesting to see what develops in this story in coming days and weeks. If Haggard is innocent of the charges Mike Jones has laid to his charge, then woe to Jones for doing so much wrong to a man who has done so much good.
But if Haggard hasn’t come clean and is lying to everyone about his activities, then Jesus had a special woe to him, just as he did for the religious hypocrites of his own day:
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”
As a Pagan, I believe in ethical values that revolve around the concept “an it harm none, do as you will.” So I really don’t care if somebody wants to have sex with someone else of either sex. That should be private between those involved. But when one claims religion as justification to subjugate an entire spectrum of Americans and relegate them to second-class citizens in terms of their rights and liberties, including a Constitutional Amendment to marginalize them; that is harm indeed. And as a Pagan, I will speak for life, liberty and happiness for all! I believe, as our founding fathers did, “that all men are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights.”
And I believe, as a Pagan, it isn’t the job of religion to deny or campaign against the rights and liberties of another who happens to be different. You’d think we learned something from the Civil Rights movement, when many of the same claims made against gay folks were hurled at people of color.
Regardless of who is telling the truth in the matter of Mike Jones and Ted Haggard, the bottom line is that great harm is being done to many in the name of Jesus! Why is that so?
For more on this story, check with the following sources:
http://www.khow.com
http://www.9news.com
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_4597552
http://newlifechurch.org/nlcpressrelease110206.pdf
http://www.nae.net
Mike Jones first contacted KUSA channel 9 news in Denver with his claims regarding Pastor Ted Haggard of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs. He asserted that Haggard had sexual relations with him over a period of three years. Channel 9 was investigating the story, but had not aired any of this information while working quietly to verify information provided by Jones.
More recently, Jones sent an email to KHOW radio talk-show host Peter Boyles informing that he was a male escort who had a sexual relationship with a prominent religious leader in Colorado. There was some discussion between Boyles and Jones that resulted in an agreement that Jones would be a guest on the Peter Boyles morning radio program.
Mr. Jones repeated the claims made in his email to Boyles on live radio, but would not name the minister nor the church involved. Jones repeatedly stated his fear of retribution should he reveal the name and stated he was seeking advice from his attorney before going further. He did say, however, that the minister in question was actively promoting antigay legislation in Colorado.
The outrage of KHOW listeners soon exploded in a firestorm of anger against Mike Jones for making such claims and at Peter Boyles for having him on his morning radio show. The station was inundated by hostile calls from the largely conservative listeners of KHOW, along with a flood of email messages sent to the studio. Peter Boyles read many of those emails on the air, most attacking Boyles directly for airing this story. Irate listeners demanded to know the identity of the minister in question and speculated on several possible suspects.
When the show ended at 9:00 am, infuriated listeners had pounded Boyles for 4 solid hours, attacking his credibility, integrity, professionalism and motivations for having Jones on his show. In reality, such attacks were unwarranted and mostly unkind or outright hateful. Boyles, to his great credit, broke this story with sensitivity and objectivity.
Now that Boyles had broken ground on this story, the folks at KUSA channel 9 went into full swing on the story. Along with local newspapers, KUSA gave background on the story that had not been made public for several weeks since being contacted by Mr. Jones. Now they rushed to publish information and revealed much that Jones had kept confidential. For example, they revealed Mike Jones by name, along with the identity of the Ted Haggard of New Life Church. The cat was now officially “out of the bag” and the networks picked up the story somewhat belatedly the following day. Primary reporters from KUSA included investigative journalist Paula Woodward and investigative producer Amy Herdy.
In a video interview with Ted Haggard at his home, Haggard denied knowing Mike Jones. He disavowed all the allegations made by Jones on KHOW radio.
Back at KHOW, Peter Boyles once again invited Jones to be a guest on his show. The phone lines again were jammed with callers who were, for the most part, furious over the allegations that Ted Haggard had sexual congress with Mike Jones. Most attacked Jones on the basis of character and credibility. “How can you take the word of an avowed male prostitute over that of a man like Haggard?” said one. “ Boyles, you have sunk to a new low in tabloid broadcasting!” said another. Few wanted to know whether there was truth to the allegations, preferring instead to assault both men on the basis of integrity and credibility. Sacred cows do not slaughter without a great deal of ruckus!
Meanwhile, back at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Ted Haggard suddenly stepped down as senior pastor and also resigned as President of the National Association of Evangelicals. Martin Nussbaum, legal counsel for New Life Church, announced this stunning development. Haggard maintained he had no dealings with Mr. Jones.
Another bombshell was lobbed into the controversy by interim pastor Ross Parsley when he announced, “I don't have an accurate description about the precise details. I just know that there has been some admission of indiscretion, not admission to all of the material that has been discussed, but there is an admission of some guilt.”
Peter Boyles of KHOW again invited Mike Jones to visit the studio, this time armed with voice messages left on his machine by someone who identified himself as Art. Allegedly, the voice on the tape is Haggard’s. Voice expert Richard Sanders compared KUSA audio recordings of Haggard with those on the voice mail tape and they seem to match. "Overall, I would say it's probably the same person, from a scientific standpoint," said Sanders, after listening to the voice recordings.
One of those recordings is quoted here for context:
"Hi Mike, this is Art. Hey, I was just calling to see if we could get any more. Either $100 or $200 supply. And I could pick it up really anytime. I could get it tomorrow or we could wait till next week sometime and so I also wanted to get your address. I could send you some money for inventory but that's probably not working, so if you have it then go ahead and get what you can and I may buzz up there later today, but I doubt your schedule would allow that unless you have some in the house. Okay, I'll check in with you later. Thanks a lot, bye."
It was later announced that Ted Haggard’s middle name is Arthur.
Ted Haggard next claimed to reporters that he did buy methamphetamine once, but believed it to be wrong, so he simply disposed of it and never took any.
Haggard said in a KUSA TV interview, which also aired on CNN:
I did call him. I called him to buy some meth. But I threw it away. I was buying it for me but I never used it.”
That statement is at odds with what is stated on the recording. “I was just calling to see if we could get any more.” What would one want with more if he threw the first batch away? The statement denying methamphetamine use is inherently illogical.
Back at KHOW, Mike Jones stated he would be willing to take a polygraph test. Peter Boyles arranged for a polygraphist to administer the test at the studios of KHOW and the result indicated deception. However, polygraphist John Kresnik stated he had misgivings due to physiological factors that might influence results. Jones had not eaten properly and only slept a few hours over the 48 immediately prior to the examination. In addition, the stress of confronting a national figure on a public forum would likely impact results. Jones agreed to submit himself to additional testing at another time.
The next comment from Haggard indicated that he had visited hotels in Denver and wanted a massage. He claims a concierge referred him to Jones. Yet, he never stated which hotel referred him to Jones.
This particular bit of information seems laughable on face value. Denver has many certified massage therapists readily available throughout the city. Most have storefronts and operate their business with utmost professionalism. Many of the larger hotels in Denver will have massage therapists on staff. Moreover, within 40 miles of Denver are several schools that teach massage therapy and emphasize professionalism and ethical standards. What hotel in the city of Denver, or in nearby communities, would refer anyone to a male escort for a massage that can be easily provided by a therapist on staff or to one of the many professional massage therapists who provide this service locally? This simply does not make sense.
As I write this, events continue to unfold and more information is revealed with every new hour. It would seem wise to evaluate what is known at this time, through the rational and unemotional perspective of a viewer that doesn’t have a dog in this fight. To that end, I would like to place the following facts before the reader for consideration.
Mike Jones was a male escort who provided sex for pay services. He stated that he was motivated to expose Haggard for hypocrisy. Jones claims his motivation was to denounce someone who campaigned against gay rights, including support of an amendment to the Constitution of Colorado, to prohibit gay marriage; all the while turning to Jones for sex. Jones failed a lie detector test administered by a professional polygraphist who cited deception was indicated in the readings. Jones has credibility issues because of his background as a male escort who engaged in sex as a business activity. He also has implicated himself in providing a controlled substance, methamphetamine.
On the positive side of the Mike Jones ledger is that his story has remained consistent to this point. While the polygraphist did test Jones with deception resulting from the session, he also stated that Jone’s physical and mental state could produce misleading results. Jones has little to gain, and much peril in making these accusations. The possibility exists that law enforcement could press charges for prostitution and drug dealing in this case. Why would he place himself in such dire peril unless he was confident that he was speaking the truth? Additionally, he has physical evidence to support his claims.
Turning to Ted Haggard, we have proof that he lied regarding knowing Jones to begin with. Not only did he lie about knowing Jones, he lied about having any dealings with Jones. His claim of throwing away the methamphetamine he states he purchased from Jones seems untrue contrasted with his voice on tape seeking to purchase more of the product. Haggard is, by his own admission, guilty of purchasing methamphetamine and having it in his possession, whether or not he used the stuff. That’s a felony. He too is in peril of criminal charges being filed in this case. Haggard’s story has changed from not knowing Jones, to buying methamphetamine from him, to seeing him to receive a massage!
On the positive side of Haggard’s ledger, we must consider that a man is innocent until proven guilty. Haggard has, by statements made to media, implicated himself of deceit. We must also consider the ministry he has dedicated so much time and energy to and the good that has flowed from that work. He is a family man with a wife and 5 children and a leader in the community.
It will be interesting to see what develops in this story in coming days and weeks. If Haggard is innocent of the charges Mike Jones has laid to his charge, then woe to Jones for doing so much wrong to a man who has done so much good.
But if Haggard hasn’t come clean and is lying to everyone about his activities, then Jesus had a special woe to him, just as he did for the religious hypocrites of his own day:
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”
As a Pagan, I believe in ethical values that revolve around the concept “an it harm none, do as you will.” So I really don’t care if somebody wants to have sex with someone else of either sex. That should be private between those involved. But when one claims religion as justification to subjugate an entire spectrum of Americans and relegate them to second-class citizens in terms of their rights and liberties, including a Constitutional Amendment to marginalize them; that is harm indeed. And as a Pagan, I will speak for life, liberty and happiness for all! I believe, as our founding fathers did, “that all men are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights.”
And I believe, as a Pagan, it isn’t the job of religion to deny or campaign against the rights and liberties of another who happens to be different. You’d think we learned something from the Civil Rights movement, when many of the same claims made against gay folks were hurled at people of color.
Regardless of who is telling the truth in the matter of Mike Jones and Ted Haggard, the bottom line is that great harm is being done to many in the name of Jesus! Why is that so?
For more on this story, check with the following sources:
http://www.khow.com
http://www.9news.com
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_4597552
http://newlifechurch.org/nlcpressrelease110206.pdf
http://www.nae.net
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