HOUSTON (AP) - A flight attendant says she witnessed the wife of pastor Joel Osteen throw a tantrum when she didn't get her way after a small spill on her seat wasn't quickly cleaned.
Victoria Osteen's attorney says his client simply got into a verbal dispute with a couple of flight attendants who were lacking when it came to customer service.
Testimony was to resume Friday in the civil trial over the incident. One of the flight attendants, Sharon Brown, filed a lawsuit against Victoria Osteen, accusing the co-pastor of Houston's Lakewood Church of assaulting her before the start of a 2005 flight to Vail, Colo.
Continental Airlines flight attendant Maria Johnson testified Thursday that Victoria Osteen demanded special attention to clean a spill about the size of a 50-cent piece on her first-class seat. When she didn't get her way, Victoria Osteen became verbally and physically abusive to both flight attendants, eventually grabbing Brown by the shoulders, elbowing her in the chest and pushing her out of the way in an attempt to get into the cockpit, Johnson testified.
Brown's lawsuit claims the flight attendants asked to have Victoria Osteen removed from the plane.
"We did not feel safe with her acting that way," Johnson said.
Rusty Hardin, Victoria Osteen's attorney, told jurors his client and her family left voluntarily. The incident delayed the flight about 2 1/2 hours.
Hardin called the lawsuit a money grab.
"This is nothing more than an attempted extortion," he told jurors during opening statements, in which he said his client did nothing wrong. While questioning Johnson, Hardin suggested that she and Brown might have overreacted or that Johnson might not have remembered the confrontation correctly.
Just before her testimony concluded, Johnson suggested race might have played a role because of remarks Victoria Osteen made about wanting to deal only with Johnson, who is white, and not with Brown or another flight attendant on the plane, who are black.
Hardin condemned Johnson's claim and pointed out that about 30 percent of Lakewood Church's congregation is black.
The church is a converted basketball arena where about 42,000 people flock each week for services where Joel Osteen preaches. His weekly television address is broadcast nationally and internationally, and his books have been sold across the globe.
The Osteens, who sat next to each other in court Thursday, were both expected to testify during the trial.
Brown wants an apology and punitive damages amounting to 10 percent of Victoria Osteen's net worth as part of her suit.
Her psychiatrist, Shayna Lee, testified that Brown has suffered depression and post-traumatic stress disorder because of the incident. She also felt disrespected in her role as a leader and as a black woman and had her faith affected, Lee said.
Brown is also suing Victoria Osteen for medical expenses for counseling.
Hardin told jurors there is no evidence Brown sustained any injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration fined Victoria Osteen $3,000 for interfering with a crew member.
Hardin told jurors Victoria Osteen paid the FAA fine not because she was guilty but as a way to conclude the matter and avoid any embarrassment for her church.
RSS
This is so stupid....my wife and I are missionaries and usually sit a'way in the back of the plane BUT, if there was a mess on my seat I would fuss too....without all the pushing and shoving ofcourse (I'm too big for that....about 85 kilos) The lady probaby was wearing a very expensive outfit and didn't want to sit in a pool of spagetti sauce....or whatever they serve in 1st class ah dunno and probably never will....Slava Bohu !!!! Hey,
Lay off the lady....
Sorry, I discovered that "Osteen" is not spelled with an "l." Also, I can't help but wonder if the Osteens get as upset over stains on one's soul or being as they do over upholstery stains.
Christian or not, one learns early that they need to take responsiblity for their actions. If one does not believe that a personal, physical assault can result in mental and/or physical trauma, just visit with a psychologist. I worked in an educational setting a number of years ago, and a teacher was hit by a student's father. Yes, it did affect him, and yes, he sought counseling. The end result was that he quit teaching. When one strikes another person, it is considered assault. Perhaps Ms. Osteen's attorney needs to inform her of the law.
I agree with melancthon. Osteen is definitely not an evangelical pastor. Charismatic, yes. Evangelical, no.
The flight attendant needed counseling and medical attention because of this. Give me a break. She's in it for the money and this sue happy generation is out of hand. However, I do think that Olstein did have a temper tantrum - women do have their monthly reminders is more likely the case rather than being a spoiled rich woman. It wouldn't bother me is the stewardess gets her money and Olstein get a good "slap in the face" for acting like a baby. The stewardess will need the money for ongoing counseling because she can't deal with life in general and Olstein needs to get back to ground level and fly coach for a way.
I think that one need to keep the history of Olsteen's Ministry in proper perspective... Joel Olsteen was a TV producer for his dad's ministry. Joel was not a pastor by training or calling... He took over his dad's mantle when his dad passed away. His wife, Victoria is the daughter of Sam Watson(?) the founder of Walmart....so these events are neither new (this is not the first time) nor surprising..
Can we stop calling Joel an "evangelical" pastor? Please?