Firm Investigating Dr. Michael Brown Expands Scope of Inquiry

The law firm conducting a third-party investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Dr. Michael Brown has announced that it is expanding the scope of its inquiry, covering any claims against him or those who may have covered it up for more years than previously tasked.

Earlier this month, we reported that Firefly would be looking into Brown after Sarah Erin Monk accused him of sexually inappropriate conduct towards her that would frequently cross physical boundaries, including holding her hand, kissing her on the lips, and slapping her butt. She also alleges that Brown had a sexually inappropriate relationship with another woman, who has since passed away. Brown has admitted some of these allegations but denied others.

In a message shared on their website, Firefly notes that The Line of Fire board initially retained them to “conduct an independent investigation into allegations of sexually abusive misconduct By Dr. Michael Brown in his association with FIRE School of Ministry” during the years of 2001 – 2002 when the allegations were made.

Firefly adds, however, that “While the scope of the investigation is focused on the period of time that the initial allegations were made (2001-2002), all allegations of sexual abuse before or after these dates will be fully investigated.”

Furthermore, Firefly is also “investigating any potential cover-up of any allegation of sexual abuse/misconduct connected with FIRE School of Ministry 2001 – 2002,” casting a wider net than just with Brown.

Firefly also notes that they will take a “wider view of sexual abuse and sexually abusive misconduct to include not only abuse within the historically narrow understanding of those terms (sexual assault and battery without consent) but also to include physical and nonphysical conduct that a person suffers, submits to, participates in, or performs due to the deception, manipulation, coercion, grooming (children and adults) and/or intimidation by another.“

Commenting on this development, Ron Cantor, Bob Gladstone, Keith Collins, and Mike Lubanovic, four former colleagues of Michael Brown, released a statement.

They encouraged cooperation with the investigation, saying that they sat down with The Line of Fire Board (whose identities are not publicly known) to ensure that the scope of the inquiry would cover more time than a mere two years, that people could report anonymously without the fear of their names being made public, that anyone who helped cover it up would be exposed, and that whoever is involved in Brown restoration/discern process would be fair and qualified.