The Christian music world is reeling after accusations of sexual misconduct were released from several men against Newsboys’ former frontman Michael Tait. Tait had recently made a sudden exit from his role with the Newsboys, although it has not been confirmed if his departure had anything to do with the accusations. The news was broken by Julie Roys at The Roys Report, who stated the accusations go as far back as 2004. Roys stated the news was “Nashville’s worst kept secret.” “For decades, allegations have circulated that Newsboys frontman Michael Tait, formerly of DC Talk, had groomed and sexually assaulted numerous victims,” Roys alleged.

The report detailed the experiences of three separate men, who had all been 22 during alleged incidents, which occurred in 2004, 2010, and 2014. According to Roys, two of the men had been drinking alcohol with Tait when they later woke up to find him fondling them. Tait also allegedly offered cocaine to one of them. The third victim said Tait invited him to go skinny dipping and then began massaging him and touching him without consent in bed. According to Roys, there have been other rumors of misconduct, but sources state Tait has managed to blackball others from the industry. A TikToker named Azariah Southworth, who is known for outing well-known people for being gay, made a video saying Tait was gay on January 15. Tait stepped down suddenly from the Newsboys the next day.

According to Roys, Tait did not respond to any questions. After the news broke, the Newsboys initially refused to comment. “While we are aware of unsubstantiated aspersion cast via internet towards Mr. Tait and Newsboys by one particular individual, because your questions revolve around the alleged behavior and actions of Mr. Tait, it would be inappropriate for Newsboys to speculate or comment,” the group said in a statement by its lawyers. “If what you allege can be supported with evidence, we would imagine Mr. Tait and his representatives will have something to say about the matter.” However, as more information came to light, members of the group said they were “devastated.” “Last night our hearts were shattered when we read the news alleging drug abuse and inappropriate sexual actions by our former lead singer, Michael Tait,” band members Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee wrote in a joint statement. “While Michael has not addressed these allegations, we are devastated even by the implications. First and foremost, our hearts are with the victims who have bravely shared their stories. If you are a victim, we urge you to come forward. We absolutely do not condone any form of sexual assault,” they urged.

In a Facebook post, lead singer Adam Agee said the group had heard rumors throughout the years. “We have obviously heard rumors over the years and each time something would come up we would try to find the source and no one would tell us,” he wrote, saying the group had confronted Tait but that he “would deny it emphatically.” Some radio stations have responded by pulling Newsboys from their rotation. David Wonders, Program Director at 104.3 The Pulse in Minnesota told Roys he made the decision feeling the band had been “complicit” in Tait’s alleged crimes. “I pulled all of my Newsboys music from The Pulse [June 5]. Beyond Tait’s crimes, the band is complicit if they were aware of what he was up to, or suspected what he was up to, and were covering for him,” he said. “As someone who has hosted Newsboys in concert, played them on the air, and helped them build their platform, I feel deeply betrayed. I am ashamed that I played a part in helping build the celebrity that Tait exploited to prey on others.” Tait has yet to publicly respond to any of the accusations.

UPDATE: Michael Tait released a statement on June 10th where he admitted decades of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as sexual misconduct. He stated the allegations were “largely true.” Tait has vowed true repentance of his sins and his seeking help for his addictions. His full statement can be read here.