Trinity settles with worker

The Costa Mesa-based Trinity Broadcasting Network has settled out of court with a former broadcasting engineer who claimed that the religious-programming company discriminated against him because he’s gay.

Trinity settled in late February with Brian Dugger, who last year filed a civil suit and sought more than $2.5 million.

Attorneys for both Dugger and Trinity Broadcasting did not return requests for comment. Details of the settlement were not available in court records.

Dugger claimed that his sexuality became an issue when company co-founder and Chairman Paul Crouch Sr. gave control to his son, Paul Crouch Jr., and his wife, Jan.

The younger Crouch harassed Dugger in 2004, telling him to dress less “gay,” wear less jewelry and to act “straight,” Dugger claimed.

He alleged that the younger Crouch also insulted him on live television and sent him pornographic images of men and women.

The company cut all ties with Dugger in 2007 and refused to re-hire him.

Before the alleged acts, Dugger claimed in the lawsuit, the elder Crouch had befriended him. They became “exceedingly close” and would share private dinners and drinks at Crouch’s home, Dugger stated.

Five years into his career with Trinity Broadcasting, Dugger ordered him to move from the Nashville, Tenn. branch to the Tustin facility. That’s when Crouch gave control of the company to his son.

Dugger said Trinity Broadcasting severed direct ties with him in 2003 and kept him employed instead as an independent contractor.