A countersuit has been filed by John Wright (“J.W.”), PLNU professor and Nazarene pastor, and “K.W.”, Wright’s’ wife and fellow Nazarene pastor, against Amy McClanahan, formerly referred to as “A.M.” on the same day as McClanahan’s lawsuit, Jan. 16, 2018.
“From the mid fall of 2016 to October 21, 2017, J.W. and McClanahan had a sexual relationship,” read the Wrights’ lawsuit. “McClanahan agreed at all times that she would keep the relationship secret from all other persons, including J.W.’s employers, friends, family, members of the community in general, and his wife.”
According to the lawsuit, on Oct. 21, 2017 Wright told McClanahan that he wanted to end their sexual relationship. The Wrights’ lawsuit alleges that the next day McClanahan went to the Wrights’ house and exposed the affair to Wright’s wife, K.W..
“On October 22, 2017, McClanahan went to the Plaintiffs’ home and spoke to K.W.. McClanahan revealed the sexual relationship she had been having with J.W. to K.W., and supplied proof of her claim…,” alleged the complaint.
Between Oct. 22, 2017 and Dec. 10, 2017, McClanahan is accused of repeatedly harassing both Wright and K.W., including multiple attempts to get in contact through social media/text messaging, blocking J.W..’s vehicle with her own, and causing disturbances at the Mid-City Church of the Nazarene services.
“On Dec. 10, 2017, plaintiffs’ church was having a multi-congregational Christmas service. McClanahan came to the service and disrupted the activity by verbally attacking and threatening K.W.,” claims the lawsuit. “McClanahan physically pushed one of the pastors and disrupted the church activities in front of parishioners and pastoral staff. Police had to be called to the scene.”
Also according to the lawsuit, a few weeks later on Dec. 27, 2017, a temporary restraining order was granted to J.W. and K.W. against McClanahan. In violation of this, McClanahan is being accused of having continued to contact them through Facebook and vandalizing their cars on Jan. 9 or Jan. 10, 2018.
“Everything that my client intends to say will be said in court,” added Alec Rose, the Wrights’ attorney, in a phone call with The Point.
Jill Monroe, PLNU Director of Public Affairs, also said over the phone with The Point that the information given to PLNU students through the email from Dr. Caye Smith, PLNU Title IX Coordinator, is limited while the Title IX investigation is underway. “We are bound by some pretty significant confidentiality agreements since it’s an ongoing investigation that prevents anything else I can say for you,” said Monroe.
The Point also reached out to Wright, Mid-City Church of the Nazarene, Charlene Patterson, PLNU Title IX assistant coordinator, Kevin Cahill, PLNU legal counsel, and Smith. All parties were unresponsive.
The official document stating the complaints against McClanahan is public record and included below. If you have any additional information regarding the allegations, contact The Point’s Editor in Chief, Dana Williams, at danawilliams1125@pointloma.edu.
The Point will keep the PLNU and Nazarene communities informed as more details develop.
Click here to read the full lawsuit on ABC Channel 10’s website.
Jen Pfeiler 
The Point Staff 
Rebecca Elliott