Gateway Church legal battles
A federal judge dismissed a class-action lawsuit against Gateway Church, its founding pastor Robert Morris, and former elder Steve Dulin on June 24, 2026, ruling that the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine applied to the case where former members accused the church of misappropriating millions in donations. As of June 24, 2026, Gateway Church is still involved in a defamation lawsuit filed by Cindy Clemishire, with a Dallas federal judge ordering mediation between the church and its insurance company. Robert Morris and Gateway Church have agreed to dismiss their legal fight over Morris' multi-million dollar retirement package, moving the dispute to arbitration, following Morris's completion of a six-month jail sentence for child sexual abuse. The church also faces a negligence lawsuit in Tarrant County for failing to protect a minor from sexual assault.
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June 2026 — 3 developments
Federal judge dismisses class-action lawsuit against Gateway Church and Robert Morris
A federal judge dismissed a class-action lawsuit against Gateway Church, its founding pastor Robert Morris, and former elder Steve Dulin on June 24, 2026. The judge ruled that the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine applied to the case where former church members accused the church of misappropriating millions of dollars in donations.
Gateway Church and Insurer Ordered to Mediation in Defamation Lawsuit
A Dallas federal judge has ordered mediation between Gateway Church and its insurance company concerning the defamation lawsuit filed by Cindy Clemishire. Two former elders, Steve Dulin and Kevin Grove, lost their bid to be removed from the lawsuit.
Gateway Church defamation trial set for June 2026; insurer seeks to deny coverage
A defamation lawsuit filed by Cindy Clemishire against Gateway Church and Robert Morris is set for trial in June 2026. Church Mutual Insurance is seeking to deny coverage for the church and Morris in this lawsuit, asserting their policies were not in effect when the alleged abuse occurred.
May 2026 — 1 developments
Gateway Church and Robert Morris settle retirement package dispute, move to arbitration
Gateway Church and its founding pastor, Robert Morris, have agreed to dismiss their legal fight over Morris' multi-million dollar retirement package, moving the dispute to arbitration. Both parties will bear their own legal costs. This settlement comes after Morris completed a six-month jail sentence for child sexual abuse charges.
April 2026 — 7 developments
Robert Morris sues Gateway Church for millions in retirement benefits amid criminal charges
Robert Morris is suing Gateway Church for millions in alleged retirement benefits, which the church is contesting due to his criminal charges and abuse allegations. Morris has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.
Judge Allows Lawsuit Against Gateway Church and Robert Morris to Proceed
A federal class-action lawsuit against Gateway Church and Robert Morris has been allowed to continue after a judge denied a motion to dismiss. The lawsuit alleges the church misled congregants about donation promises for global missions, claiming this amounts to at least $15 million annually. An accountant for Gateway stated only $3 million was given to global missions.
Gateway Church Appeals Defamation Lawsuit, Citing Religious Dispute
Gateway Church is appealing a ruling that allowed Cindy Clemishire's defamation lawsuit to proceed, arguing the dispute is a religious matter and should not be handled in secular court. An insurance company for the church has also asked to be removed from covering the lawsuit, stating its policies were not in effect when the alleged abuse occurred. The appeals court has paused discovery in the case.
Gateway Church founder Robert Morris released from jail after serving six-month sentence
Gateway Church founder Robert Morris was released from jail on March 31, 2026, after serving a six-month sentence for five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. He was convicted in October 2025 and received a sentence of jail time, probation, and lifetime registration as a sex offender.
Gateway Church faces new negligence lawsuit over alleged failure to protect minor
Gateway Church is now facing a negligence lawsuit in Tarrant County, which accuses the church of failing to protect a minor from sexual assault on its property. This new claim is in addition to existing defamation and fraud lawsuits against the church.
Former Gateway Church Elders Denied Dismissal from Defamation Lawsuit
Two former Gateway Church elders, Steve Dulin and Kevin Grove, have been denied their request to be dismissed from a defamation lawsuit filed by Cindy Clemishire. A trial is scheduled for June 2026.
Robert Morris Sues Gateway Church Over Retirement Funds Amidst Other Legal Battles
Gateway Church and its former pastor Robert Morris are involved in new legal battles, including a lawsuit filed by Morris against the church over retirement funds. This adds to the existing defamation lawsuit by Cindy Clemishire and a class-action suit alleging financial fraud.
February 2026 — 3 developments
Judge allows financial fraud lawsuit against Gateway Church and former pastor Robert Morris to proceed
Gateway Church is now facing a financial fraud lawsuit in addition to the defamation case. A judge has allowed the financial fraud lawsuit, which alleges mishandling of donations and unfulfilled promises to missions, to proceed to discovery, denying dismissal requests from the church and former pastor Robert Morris.
Dallas County judge denies elders' motion to dismiss $1M defamation lawsuit
The Dallas County judge's ruling to deny the elders' motion to dismiss was reported, allowing the $1 million defamation lawsuit filed by Cindy Clemishire to continue.
Judge Tobolowsky denies dismissal for ex-Gateway Church elders in defamation suit
During a court hearing, Dallas County Judge Emily Tobolowsky denied motions filed by two former Gateway Church elders, Steve Dulin and Kevin Grove, seeking to be dismissed from the defamation lawsuit. The judge ruled that the case could proceed against them.
November 2025 — 4 developments
Fifth Court of Appeals Stays Gateway Church Defamation Lawsuit Proceedings
The Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas officially stayed all trial court proceedings in the defamation lawsuit pending the resolution of Gateway Church's petition for a writ of mandamus. The court's decision did not rule on the merits of the church's arguments but acknowledged the significance of the issues raised regarding church autonomy.
Appeals Court Halts Defamation Case Against Gateway Church
A Dallas-based appeals court granted Gateway Church's request to temporarily halt all proceedings in the defamation case, including discovery. The court agreed to consider the church's arguments regarding ecclesiastical abstention and church autonomy.
Gateway Church appeals defamation suit dismissal denial, citing church governance concerns
Gateway Church and its elders appealed a Dallas County judge's decision to deny their motions to dismiss the defamation suit. They argued that the case improperly involved secular courts in church governance and doctrine. Clemishire's attorneys countered that her claims were about factual, defamatory statements, not church matters.
Dallas County Judge Allows Defamation Lawsuit Against Gateway Church and Robert Morris to Proceed
A Dallas County judge ruled on November 12, 2025, that a defamation lawsuit filed by Cindy Clemishire against Gateway Church, former pastor Robert Morris, and several elders can proceed. Judge Emily Tobolowsky denied motions by the church and elders to dismiss the lawsuit, which they argued was a religious matter outside secular court jurisdiction. Clemishire alleges Morris sexually abused her in the 1980s.
August 2025 — 1 developments
Former Gateway Church Elders Deny Defaming Cindy Clemishire in Court Filings
Three former Gateway Church elders—Thomas H. Miller Jr., Gayland Lawshe, and Jeremy Carrasco—formally denied defaming Cindy Clemishire in court filings. They asserted that any statements made were without malice and intended to inform the congregation during an internal investigation.
October 2024 — 1 developments
Robert Morris pleads guilty to child sex acts in Oklahoma, sentenced to 10 years
Robert Morris pleaded guilty to five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child in Oklahoma, where the abuse took place. He was sentenced to 10 years in jail, with six months to be served, and ordered to pay $270,000 to Clemishire and register as a lifetime sex offender.
June 2024 — 1 developments
Cindy Clemishire and father file defamation lawsuit against Gateway Church and leaders
Cindy Clemishire and her father filed a defamation lawsuit against Gateway Church, its founder Robert Morris, his wife, Debbie, and several current and former elders. The suit alleged that statements made by the elders about Clemishire's accusations of childhood sexual abuse by Morris defamed her and contributed to a cover-up.