‘New information’ surfaces in case of SLO pastor accused of ‘inappropriate behaviors’

Those hoping for more clarity regarding Mountainbrook Church and its head pastor likely remained disappointed Sunday afternoon.

A meeting was scheduled to update the congregation regarding the investigation into the allegations that led to a leave of absence for pastor Thom O’Leary and his wife, Sherri. But the church declined Sunday to release any new information, saying that “the investigation is ongoing, and the situation is still developing.”

Board member John Waddell read a prepared statement that outlined that no new information would be released.

Several people walked out of the congregation at that point.

Each of the other board members also spoke, and O’Leary’s son-in-law, Greg Jeffrey, opened the event.

The meeting called for unity and togetherness among members of the church.

At the end of the of service, interim pastor Rick Olmstead asked the congregation to write their concerns down and share them with the board. Olmstead and his wife, Becky, recently joined the church from Mountainbrook’s parent church, Vineyard USA.

“At a later time we’ll be able to share more and hear more,” Olmstead said. “But for now we would like to hear from you.”

During Sunday’s meeting, board members told churchgoers for the first time that the accusations against O’Leary were credible but that the investigation into the alleged behavior was not yet complete.

The church also released an email Sunday stating that the “outside investigation” launched by the church found “serious allegations of inappropriate behaviors” to be “credible.”

On Nov. 29, Tina Swithin, a San Luis Obispo County-based author and member of the church, published a Facebook post that detailed allegations of inappropriate “groping” and possible substance abuse.

Waddell declined to comment to The Tribune on which firm was investigating and said there is no timeline for when the investigation will conclude.

In an email to the media on Sunday, Waddell said that “new allegations” had surfaced.

“New information has come to light,” Mary Verdin of Verdin Marketing said at Sunday’s meeting. “Which is why the investigation hasn’t closed yet. (The church is) still investigating, talking to people. It’s probably not accurate to say ‘new allegations.’ ”

Verdin said that language was likely a part of an earlier email draft and should read “new information.”

O’Leary has been on paid leave since Nov. 4, within a few days of the allegations, according to the statement. The leave of absence will span until February.

“While we understand that everyone wants to know what’s happening, it is far more important that we do this properly than to rush through it,” the statement said. “Please know that we are working diligently to verify the facts and determine the most prudent course of action. Once we have done that, we will give you more information.”

This story was originally published December 8, 2019 at 6:57 PM.