Beacon Journal - Ohio 04/27/00

President of The Way International resigns

NEW KNOXVILLE, Ohio (AP) -- The Rev. L. Craig Martindale has resigned as president of The Way International.

Martindale and his family will stay at The Way as a "vital part of The Way Ministry household,'' and his responsibilities will be reassigned by the board of trustees, according to a statement issued by the group Thursday.

The resignation came nearly three weeks after a former member filed a lawsuit accusing Martindale of forcing her into a sexual relationship.

Mrs. Allen is suing The Way for $2 million for breach of contract.

The lawsuit, filed in Shelby County Common Pleas Court, accuses Martindale of waging a campaign to coerce Allen into engaging in sexual activity with Martindale. It also alleges that The Way encourages members to become economically and psychologically dependent on the organization and its leadership.

Martindale issued a written statement admitting to having had a ``consensual'' affair with Allen, but denying the illegal actions described in the lawsuit.

Trustees unanimously agreed to promote Vice President Rosalie F. Rivenbank to replace Martindale, who had been president since 1982, and to name the Rev. Harve Platig as vice president.

There was no telephone listing for Martindale in the New Knoxville area, which is about 50 miles north of Dayton.