The former leader of an Ohio megachurch is under investigation for sexual abuse in the wake of a social media post by a former member that went viral earlier this month.
The investigation, which centers around the Faith Life Church, located in the community of New Albany on the outskirts of Columbus, has already been shrouded in controversy as Ohio’s Attorney General Dave Yost and the sheriff of Knox County, where the church is located, formerly recused themselves from the case due to conflicts of interest.
The alleged victim, a family member of Drenda and Gary Keesee, head pastors of the church, said that she was underage at the time of the abuse. Several other women have now made comments on Facebook also alleging abuse by someone who was prominent within the church.
That person was named by The Columbus Dispatch as the Keesee’s son, Tom. His LinkedIn page lists him as working as the church’s chief media officer until August 2024.
Drenda Keesee holds political office in Knox County where she is the commissioner. That office advises on the sheriff’s office’s budget.
A lawyer for Drenda and Gary Keesee told Cleveland.com that “there are no allegations against” the pair or “any of our other pastors.”
Yost is a likely candidate for Ohio’s governorship in 2026. He has acknowledged a close relationship with the Keesee family.
“The suspect’s parents are friends and have been to my home for dinner. My relationship with them meant that we could not credibly perform the investigation,” Yost said, according to The Dispatch’s report.
Yost went on to say that he recommended a separate sheriff’s office to lead the investigation.
The attorney general told The Independent that he believes that the investigation would have been tainted if it was taken on by his office.
“The credibility of the investigation would have been called into question – either by my critics who would claim my friendship prevented a thorough investigation, or by defense counsel at trial, who would try to claim that I am overreacting and targeting his client to prove my integrity for political purposes,” he said.
“The victims in the situation deserve better than that. An independent third party must perform this investigation. By declining to perform an investigation in which I have personal conflict, I am honoring the victims, the process, the public at large and the cause of justice.”
The claims of abuse have spread online, one YouTube video on the scandal has been viewed over 100,000 times.
During a live stream video on February 2, Gary Keesee addressed the congregation stating: “I am sure some of you have heard what is happening and what’s going on around here.
“We stand absolutely against harassment and abuse. Abuse is directly against everything we believe in."
The Independent contacted the Faith Life Church and Drenda Keesee for comment.
