Former Pastor Accuses Rolling Hills Church Of Sexual Abuse Coverup

ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, CA — A former pastor of Rolling Hills Covenant Church claims he was fired and defamed in retaliation for blowing the whistle on crimes committed by church officials, according to a lawsuit filed in August.

In the suit, Pastor Dan Burgoyne alleges that he reported witnessing numerous crimes and illegalities while working at Rolling Hills Covenant Church including:

• knowingly false financial statements;
• self-dealing and conflicts of interest;
• intentional misuse of millions in "restricted funds" in violation of IRS regulations;
• covering up embezzlement and fraud;
• covering up the sexual abuse of minors;
• attempting to sell a church property to a friend for nearly $5 million under market value;
• brushing aside numerous severe financial, labor and compliance issues.

Matthew Klink, a spokesperson representing Rolling Hills Covenant Church, said the lawsuit and Burgoyne’s claims misrepresent how events took place and denied the allegations brought against the church.

“It’s long past due for a leader to stand and address the allegations listed in this complaint. God’s church is to have a higher standard than man’s law, so it’s a sad day when man’s law must be used to judge God's house. We are in those times. My simple encouragement is that everyone read the complaint and require transparency,” Burgoyne told Patch.

In June 2021, during Burgoyne's time working at the church, he contends he was approached by a staff member who confided in him that her daughter had been repeatedly sexually abused by a church employee while attending youth group. According to the lawsuit, the staff member's daughter was only one of several victims, and the abuse had been reported to church leadership.

According to the lawsuit, Burgoyne went to church elder Sam Tabari with his concerns.

"The next day Burgoyne reported this story of a disgraceful cover-up to Tabari. While Tabari asked a few questions, he did not document the situation and stated he knew nothing of it," the lawsuit states.

Klink told Patch Burgoyne's lawsuit mischaracterized the alleged sexual abuse incident as well as the church's response.

"The event in question occurred in 2005, fully 15-plus years before Dan became pastor. His version of the story is inaccurate. The abuse was reported to the church and leadership acted decisively when we became aware of the situation," Klink said. "A report was filed by the church to the police and contacted Child Protective Services. while the LAPD conducted its investigation, the church employee was placed on leave. The church fully cooperated with LAPD in its investigation. He was terminated at the end of the two-week investigation."

In response to the accusations from Burgoyne, the church board rallied against him to avoid scrutiny and legal liability, the suit alleges.

In addition to the complaints, the suit alleges Burgoyne witnessed church Elders conspire to modify the Church Constitution to distance themselves from the greater evangelical denomination, which embraces the empowerment of female leaders and the Black Lives Matter and Social Justice movements. According to the lawsuit, this decision was made without following proper protocol.

According to the 139-page lawsuit, Burgoyne said church Elders demanded he submit to their authority and "atone to the Congregation for the Elder's own misdeeds."

"When Burgoyne refused, the Elders worked to poison the Congregation against Burgoyne by defaming him during Sunday Service and on their website to further tarnish his reputation before the world, calling him dishonest, rebellious, and a poor leader," the suit stated.

In a letter to the church's congregation after Burgoyne's resignation in 2022, Pastor Emeritus Byron MacDonald denied Burgoyne's allegations and said church elders were concerned about his "controlling spirit that seemed intent on prevailing."

"If you truly love Dan, you need to encourage him in genuine submission and seeking the Lord to transform him and his ministry," MacDonald said in the letter. "Dan’s publication of the notes and his cry to all who could hear to rise up and resist the Elders is the very illustration of his fundamental problem."

Due to a reporting error, this article previously stated that Matthew Klink was an attorney representing Rolling Hills Covenant Church. Klink is a public affairs official who serves as a spokesperson for the church.