Christian Coalition fights bitter lawsuit after divorce

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A Christian Coalition of America ex-official's lawsuit for $123,500 in unpaid compensation has put nepotism of the coalition's president and the acrimonious divorce of her daughter center stage in Virginia courts.

The coalition, once a powerful national voice for traditional family values founded by televangelist Pat Robertson, contests the claim filed by Tracy E. Ammons of Alexandria on grounds his compensation was funneled through a consulting company belonging to his ex-wife, now the coalition's vice president for communications.

Roberta Combs, the coalition's president since Mr. Robertson stepped down nearly three years ago, hired her daughter, Michele Ammons, as national events coordinator, and Mr. Ammons, her son-in-law, as the organization's human resources director and legislative consultant in Washington.

The three family members relocated from Washington to Charleston, S.C., in April 2003.

Mr. Robertson tapped Mrs. Combs as executive vice president in 2001. She was Mr. Robertson's South Carolina campaign chairman when he ran for president in 1988 and headed the state's Christian Coalition affiliate in Charleston.

Mr. Robertson stepped down as coalition president and turned over control to Mrs. Combs in February 2002 as the organization settled a racial-discrimination lawsuit brought by 10 black employees in the Washington office.

That claim was settled with an out-of-court payment of some $300,000 to the employees. With legal costs, the coalition's insurance company paid out close to $1 million, participants in the case said.

Mr. Ammons' lawsuit stems from his divorce from Mrs. Ammons.

After their July 2003 separation, Mrs. Combs filed an affidavit on coalition letterhead with a South Carolina circuit court on behalf of her daughter's claim for alimony and child support from Mr. Ammons. The Ammonses have a 4-year-old son.

The affidavit states, "Per the agreement... between Millenium Consulting and Christian Coalition of America, the total amount paid monthly is $7,500. Mr. Tracy Ammons earns $6,000 per month. Ms. Michelle Ammons earns $1,500 per month."