Ex-Pastor Must Pay $3.7 Million In Sex Case

A defrocked pastor of one of the nation’s largest Methodist churches must pay $3.7 million to seven women and one of their husbands for sexual misconduct, a jury decided Friday.

Jurors found that Barry Bailey, forced out as pastor of First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth in 1994, should pay for his conduct toward the women, most of whom belonged to or worked at the church. The man claimed Bailey’s relationship with his wife hurt his marriage.

Three plaintiffs testified that they had a sexual relationship with Bailey, 70. Five said he fondled them, made lewd comments toward them and called them late at night.