MEMPHIS, Tenn. — February 5, 2026 — In a decision with national implications for religious institutions, public figures, and the responsible exercise of free speech, a federal court has issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting Moses Tyson, Jr. from continuing a campaign of defamatory statements against the Church of God in Christ, Inc.(COGIC), its governing body, and senior leadership.
The ruling, issued by the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, follows an evidentiary hearing and extensive briefing. The Court found that the plaintiffs demonstrated a strong likelihood of success on their defamation claims, that the statements were made with actual malice, caused measurable reputational and financial harm, and were not protected by the First Amendment.
The Court emphasized that the injunction does not suppress dissent, criticism, or theological disagreement. Rather, it restrains the continued publication of false allegations of criminal conduct — including accusations of fraud, theft, and elder abuse — that the Court determined were unsupported by evidence and disseminated to a national audience through mass emails, social media, and online broadcasts.
“I’m pleased with the outcome of the evidentiary hearing,” said Bishop Drew J. Sheard, Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. “This case has had a negative impact on our denomination and I’m grateful that the Judge saw the need to provide this injunction.”
The Memphis, Tennessee law firm Bailey & Bailey, PLLC represents the plaintiffs. Attorney Walter Bailey and Attorney Taurus Bailey serve as counsel for COGIC for this case.
“This decision reaffirms a core constitutional principle,” said counsel for the plaintiffs. “Freedom of speech is among our most cherished liberties — but it is not a license to knowingly spread false accusations that destroy reputations, undermine institutions, and mislead the public.”
The Court recognized that the harm extended beyond individual leaders, citing evidence that the defamatory campaign caused confusion among church members, eroded trust in church governance, and led to a documented decline in charitable giving — impacts that could not be fully remedied by monetary damages alone.
Legal scholars have long noted the tension between robust public discourse and accountability for demonstrably false statements. This ruling reflects the judiciary’s role in preserving that balance: safeguarding open expression while providing recourse when speech crosses the line into deliberate falsehood.
For faith-based organizations, nonprofit leaders, and public figures nationwide, the decision serves as a reminder that constitutional protections operate in both directions — shielding critics who speak truthfully, and protecting institutions and individuals from calculated campaigns of defamation.
The preliminary injunction remains in effect pending final resolution of the case.
About the Church of God in Christ
Founded in 1907 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the Church of God in Christ is the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States, with millions of members across the country and around the world. The Church is committed to spiritual leadership, charitable service, and the responsible stewardship of its institutions.
Interview Opportunities:
Presiding Bishop Drew J. Sheard
General Counsel – Attorney Walter Bailey and Attorney Taurus Bailey