Wes Campbell has resigned from the Gospel Music Association board after allegations that Newsboys Inc. helped cover up sexual abuse committed by former Newsboys frontrunner Michael Tait.
Campbell is the owner of Newsboys Inc., which was dropped from its record label, Capitol Christian Records, June 22 following a series of articles exposing the abuse. The band’s music also has been removed from playlists on popular Christian radio stations, including K-LOVE.
Last week, Campbell — along with his parents Colin and Nancy Campbell and two of his younger siblings, Rocklyn and Evangeline — were hit with a lawsuit filed by Randall Schrum, former pastor of Campbell’s parents’ church, Hilltop Fellowship House of Prayer in Primm Springs, Tenn. The charges include defamation, conspiracy, infliction of emotional distress and obstruction of justice.
The lawsuit tells a complex story, including false reports of child abuse made against Schrum, and dropped just one day before The Roys Report first released coverage of alleged sexual assault by Tait.
In a June 19 article published by The Roys Report, Campbell’s younger brother, Steve, was accused of helping cover up the drugging and sexual assault of a former Pulse Evangelism employee by crew member Matt Brewer and Michael Tait in December 2014. Steve Campbell, as well as Brewer, have denied these allegations.
Campbell’s resignation follows these publications, and his letter to the GMA board of directors was leaked by several on Facebook.
Campbell denies playing a role in “a supposed coverup of allegations surrounding Michael Tait.
In the letter, Campbell denies playing a role in “a supposed coverup of allegations surrounding Michael Tait” and cites the reason for his resignation as wanting “not to become a distraction.”
Although he makes no explicit allegations, Campbell vaguely hints that members of his own family may be victims: “I have remained largely silent these past weeks as we all learned together of the unfolding stories of reported victims sharing allegations against Michael Tait, but do not mistake that for a lack of care or concern for the alleged victims, their families or anyone else impacted. … Admittedly, we were caught somewhat flat-footed and ill-prepared as we never imagined the stories we would learn; members of our own families have now come forward and shared that they, too, are victims. My heart is shattered at the pain that has been expressed by so many as we are learning even dating back as far as three decades ago.”
Later in the letter, which is seven lengthy paragraphs long, Campbell claims the only allegations against Tait he was aware of when he was hired to be the Newsboys frontrunner back in 2009 were “sexuality rumors,” presumably referring to gossip alleging that Tait was gay.
However, “these topics should not be conflated,” Campbell says in the letter.
He also claims to have first learned about Tait’s abuse of drugs and alcohol, and what Tait described as “sensual type activity with both men and women” in a meeting on Jan. 6. This meeting was apparently requested by Tait to discuss his resignation from the band and need for “assistance in recovery from the substance abuse.”
Campbell says they chose not to disclose this information publicly for the purpose of protecting Tait’s privacy, claiming leadership had no knowledge of any sexual abuse committed by Tait.
“We had no idea the fullness of his actions behind closed doors or that he may have been a possible risk to anyone’s safety, and so we proceeded with that approach while Michael sought treatment. Had we known the details as we now know, the response absolutely would have been different.”
Related articles:
Former Newsboys frontman Michael Tait accused of sexual assault
Michael Tait issues ‘confession’ confirming abuse and drug reports
Why Michael Tait’s apology is not enough | Opinion by David Bumgardner
Update: Michael Tait now accused of drugging a woman for rape