Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker | Hush Money | 2
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Wondery Plus subscribers can binge new seasons of American Scandal early and ad-free right now. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. It's February 1983 in the offices of the Charlotte News, a newspaper based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

29-year-old reporter Terry Mattingly is at his desk reading through an article about a wealthy preacher named Jim Baker. Mattingly covers religion, but he's been at the paper for less than a year, so is looking for a big story to make a name for himself. And the recent reporting from their sister paper, The Charlotte Observer, has caught his attention. A reporter there, Alan Cohen, has been investigating Baker and the empire he's built using little more than folksy charm and a brand of faith known as the Prosperity Gospel.

Baker teaches his followers that God wants good Christians to achieve wealth and success. He even encourages true believers to live beyond their means and make generous donations to Baker's ministry as proof of their faith that God will provide for them later. Depending on how you look at it, the philosophy is either positive and optimistic or delusional and dangerous. Mattingly hasn't quite made up his mind, but one thing he's sure of, Jim Baker clearly practices what he preaches.

The minister is a mogul with multiple cars and homes, and based on what Mattingly's been reading, any time Baker's prosperity gospel is on the verge of backfiring, he seems to escape unscathed. It happened just last year. In late December 1982, the FCC closed a years-long investigation of Baker and his televangelist company, PTL, short for Praise the Lord.

The agency had accused Baker of misappropriating funds that were supposed to go to opening Christian TV studios overseas. And after countless hours of hearings, PTL finally agreed to sell the one TV station it owned in the U.S. And since the FCC had jurisdiction over station owners but not show producers, the agency dropped its inquiry. Baker was not technically cleared of wrongdoing, but when the case was referred to the Justice Department, they declined to pursue it.

Then, just last week, the Charlotte News' sister paper, the Charlotte Observer, reported that the Bakers bought a condo in Florida and secretly paid for it with donations made to PTL. Mattingly was sure there'd be some fallout from that, but so far, Bakers' followers seem to be sticking with him.

Mattingly is jolted out of his reading by the sound of his phone ringing. He grabs a pen with one hand and then lifts the phone to his ear with another. Terry Mattingly, Charlotte News. May I ask who's calling? I'm not giving you my name, but trust me, you'd recognize it. I'm famous in the Christian world. Yeah, okay, Mr. Anonymous Caller. What can I do for you? I want to talk about Jim Baker.

Mattingly raises an eyebrow. He quickly scans the newsroom to see if any of his fellow reporters are holding a phone and grinning at him. Everyone knows he's hungry for a Jim Baker story. The timing of this call is almost too perfect. Look, if this is a practical joke, I'm sorry. I don't have time. No joke, Mattingly. I wish it was. Things are changing. We Christians used to forgive, but now there's a lack of compassion for people who have fallen from God. I take it you mean people like yourself? That's right. Now,

Now, because of a few misunderstandings, people at PTL are telling pastors everywhere not to have me in their churches. And it's ruining my life. I'm actually scared to death. Well, tell me what's making you scared. Baker. I mean, he gets in tight with one person and then throws them down. Never knew a more corrupt man in his life. Now I see him for what he is.

Mattingly clicks his ballpoint pen and starts jotting down notes. So you say he's corrupt. Can you give me an example? I can give you plenty of examples, but don't take my word for it. Talk to Richard Dortch. He's on the PTL board. Ask him about this condo in Florida. How other board members objected until Dortch pushed it all through at Baker's insistence. Dortch. All right, all right. I'll give him a call. Anything else you want me to look into? Yeah, one more thing.

Remember this name? Jessica Hahn. The line goes dead and Mattingly lowers his phone. That call was as cryptic as it gets. Mattingly has no idea if any of it is newsworthy. Still, he intends to share the details of the call with his editors. And if he can figure out the identity of the caller and the significance of the name Jessica Hahn, this might be the big story he's been waiting for.

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From Wondery, I'm Lindsey Graham, and this is American Scandal.

In the 1980s, Jim and Tammy Faye Baker represented the epitome of success in Christian media. With their showmanship and fundraising skills, they built an empire in just a few years, complete with merchandise, music albums, and a Christian resort called Heritage USA.

But beneath the sunny exterior, Jim Baker was hiding dark secrets. He misled donors as he struggled to cover his resort's ballooning costs. He also, one fateful afternoon, met a church secretary in a Florida hotel room. This encounter resulted in allegations that, if proven, would jeopardize everything the Bakers had built. This is Episode 2, Hush Money. It's spring 1984 at the offices of Heritage USA in South Carolina.

PTL Executive Vice President Richard Dorch is making his way down a long hallway, headed to Jim Baker's office for what could end up being the most uncomfortable conversation he's ever had. Dorch has been on the PTL's board of directors since 1978, and in that time, both he and the company have prospered. But almost as soon as Dorch took over as executive VP in September 1983, things started to get complicated.

Dorch began to hear about a woman named Jessica Hahn. PTL staffers said that she had been calling repeatedly, demanding to speak with Jim Baker and claiming Baker had sexually assaulted her. Hahn even called Dorch directly, asking for money to cover her medical and psychiatric bills.

At the time, Dortch assumed that Hahn was merely an unstable woman making false claims and that eventually she'd go away. But now Hahn is threatening to get a lawyer, and Dortch needs to be sure his assumptions about her are correct.

Dorch doesn't think that Baker could be capable of such a crime, but even great men sin sometimes, and Dorch must hear the truth from Baker himself. Once he has it, he can determine how PTL should respond. If Han's allegations are even remotely true, he may need to pressure her to recant or possibly pay her off to keep quiet. As Dorch reaches Baker's office, he takes a deep breath before pushing the door open.

Baker doesn't look up. He's seated behind his desk, staring down at a poster-sized artist rendering of a building that resembles a train station made of glass.

Dorch pulls the office door closed behind him and settles into the chair opposite Baker. Good morning, Jim. We should talk. Isn't this beautiful? The newest addition to Heritage USA, over a million square feet, 5,000-seat TV studio, 30,000-seat auditorium. When it's built, it'll be the largest church in the world. God told me to call it the Crystal Palace Ministry Center.

Well, it looks amazing, Jim. Yes, and all in glass, just like the Crystal Palace in London. That reminds me, I want you to reach out to Ro Messner about Glass Company. Jim, Jim, I'm sorry. We need to talk. I know you've heard the rumors, and I thought eventually she would go away, but now she's threatening legal action. Who? Respectfully, Jim, I think you know exactly who I'm talking about. I'm dealing with a woman who says you raped her back in 1980.

Baker looks up from the drawings on his desk. Well, that's not what happened, Richard. Okay, tell me what did happen. The woman's lying, but there's a problem. What is it? Baker puts his hands together, bringing them to his face, then shuts his eyes tight. George sits while Baker prays. And finally, after several minutes, Baker opens his eyes again. I sinned. And if you want to know more, contact Fred Gross. The therapist you and Tammy saw for marriage counseling? That's right. Call him.

I'll give him permission to tell you the truth about Jessica Hahn. Dorch thanks Baker and assures him he'll take care of everything. But as he walks back down the hallway, Dorch can feel his stomach sinking. He hoped that Baker would tell him that he'd never even met Hahn and that PTL had nothing to worry about. But now Dorch feels that both Baker and PTL are in serious trouble.

Not long after his meeting with Jim Baker, Richard Dorch speaks to therapist Dr. Fred Gross, and as directed, Gross conveys Jim Baker's recollection of the Hahn encounter.

According to Baker, he and Hahn did have intercourse, but the act was consensual. Dortch is relieved to hear that Baker hasn't committed a crime, but he knows that a public charge of infidelity could be just as damaging. PTL is part of the larger Assemblies of God church, and Baker's conduct is a clear violation of the church's strict moral doctrine. Church leaders could demand that Baker stay off the air for a year or more, or even step away from the ministry altogether.

Dorch decides he can't let that happen, so he does his best to make PTL's Jessica Hahn problem disappear. He writes up a document for her to sign stating that she was the one who seduced Baker, then gives it to a fellow PTL board member, Reverend Amy Cortese, to deliver to Hahn.

And in November of 1984, Cortese meets with Hahn at an Assemblies of God church in New York City, pressuring her to sign the document in exchange for $10,000. After a long argument, Hahn finally gives in and signs.

But just a day later, Han changes her mind. She calls Cortese and says she'll give the money back if Cortese will give her the confession documents so she can destroy it. Cortese refuses, and Han keeps the money, but becomes increasingly troubled by the sense that she's living a lie. It's December 1984, and in the offices of the Charlotte Observer, Charles Shepard is hunched over his desk, pounding on his typewriter.

Shepard is a veteran reporter, but right now he's chasing a deadline and isn't sure he's going to make it. He glances up at the clock. It's 4.45 p.m., and his editors expect the story by end of day.

His piece concerns the Heritage Grand, the new 500-room hotel set to open soon in Heritage, USA. Shepard has been interested in PTL ever since Jim Baker decided to settle in the Charlotte area in the mid-70s. He's since become the lead reporter on the story, taking over from his colleague Alan Cohen, and then Terry Mattingly after their two newspapers merged.

Over the years, it's become obvious to Shepard that Baker's activities at PTL are worthy of media scrutiny, as are his use of donor funds.

Just a few months ago, Shepard traveled west to get a glimpse of a home and cars that Jim and Tammy Faye Baker quietly own in California. Tammy Faye had recently told viewers that the Bakers had given up every luxury they could. But what Shepard saw in California clearly contradicted that statement, and he made sure the public knew about it, even if the Bakers' followers didn't seem to notice. But that doesn't dissuade Shepard from continuing the Baker beat. Maybe this hotel story will attract more attention.

So he gets back to work until his phone rings. He glances up at the clock and grimaces. Shepard doesn't want to risk missing deadline, but the call might be important.

So Shepard picks up. After a long pause, a woman with a New York accent says she's been told that Shepard is the man to talk to about PTL. Shepard says it's true and asks what he can do for her. The woman explains she doesn't want to reveal herself and the two agree to use a pseudonym, Jennifer. Jennifer explains that she's calling for a friend who was forced to sign a false statement that gave PTL legal protection.

Shepard asks what kind of protection Jennifer is talking about. Haltingly, she tells him that on December 5th, 1980, her friend was invited to Clearwater Beach, Florida by a man named John Wesley Fletcher. Fletcher is a faith healer who used to work for Jim Baker at PTL. He brought Jennifer's friend up to room 538 at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. And there, Jennifer's friend met Jim Baker, who was in town for a telethon.

Not long after that, she was subjected to a terrible situation, one she had no control over. Shepard says he thinks he understands what she's telling him, but there's a part of the story he doesn't actually believe. Gently, he tells Jennifer that he doesn't think she's talking about a friend. He suspects that whatever this terrible situation was, it happened to Jennifer herself. There's another long pause before Jennifer finally admits that, yes, he's right.

Then Shepard voices another hunch. He says that several months ago, he heard a name from another reporter covering PTL. That name was Jessica Hahn. Shepard asks bluntly, is he speaking with Hahn now? Jennifer sighs and says, yes, her real name is Jessica Hahn.

She hid her identity because she's been deeply affected by what's happened to her. She struggles at work. She's depressed. And now, thanks to people at PTL, rumors are being spread about her. She doesn't know how much more she can take. Shepard wants to help, but says he needs to hear it directly. What exactly happened in that hotel room? Han takes a deep breath and then says she was sexually assaulted and that Baker was the perpetrator.

Shepard thanks her for her candor, and Han says she wants Baker to answer for what he did. Shepard says he understands, and the two agree to talk again soon. Shepard puts the phone down and stares off into the distance. He's convinced that she's telling the truth. She has precise details, a date, a hotel, the room number, Baker's reason for being there. So now Shepard's deadline doesn't seem so important. If Baker really is guilty of what Han is accusing him of,

then Shepard will do everything he can to bring the truth to light. Over the next few weeks, Charles Shepard continues talking to Jessica Hahn. She goes into greater detail about what happened to her during the assault and about the document she was coerced into signing after the fact. Shepard tries to corroborate Hahn's story with others. He reaches out to PTL directly for comment, but he's quickly shut down by the company's denials and evasions.

And as Shepard continues working on his story about the alleged assault, Jessica Hahn takes her own steps to hold Jim Baker accountable. In January 1985, her legal advisor, Paul Roper, sends PTL an eight-page draft complaint, a precursor to a potential lawsuit.

The complaint finds its way to PTL's Executive Vice President Richard Dortch, who's appalled by what he reads. It names multiple defendants, including Baker, PTL, the Assemblies of God Church, and even Dortch himself. And it demands that Hahn receive $12.3 million for assault and battery, infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, and negligence. It's enough to topple the whole company.

Dortch knows that this has gone far enough. He needs to resolve the crisis as quickly and as quietly as possible. So he reaches out to Roper, who agrees to meet. And on February 19th, 1985, at a hotel restaurant in Los Angeles, the two men sit down together to have lunch and hash out a settlement.

Dorch tries to be diplomatic, saying that he ultimately wants what's best for Han. Roper replies that if that's true, he should just open his checkbook and write down a 12 followed by six zeros. Dorch rolls his eyes. He says Jim Baker doesn't have that kind of money, and Roper knows it. Dorch can offer Han 100,000, tops.

Roper scoffs, though. 100,000 is an insult. They're talking about a woman who was manhandled. A woman who, in her own words, feels like a discarded piece of meat. She's entitled to restitution.

Dortch says he's willing to go a little higher, but not much. There's no proof that the things happen the way Hahn describes. It's Baker's word against hers. She's a young, single secretary. And Dortch has looked into her past. It's questionable. Meanwhile, Jim Baker is one of the most famous and beloved religious leaders in the country.

But Roper replies it won't be that way for long. If Hahn unleashes her story on America's front pages, he tells Dortch that $265,000 is the lowest he'll go. And if Dortch refuses, then Hahn goes to the press. After that, Baker and his ministry will just have to take their chances in the court of public opinion and maybe even the court of law. Dortch considers Roper's warning. And then he slowly reaches across the table. Roper takes his hand and they shake.

But before Dorch lets go, he says that he needs some kind of assurance, a promise that Han will never speak about this matter again. He doesn't want to pay only for her to change her mind about going public later. Roper pulls his hand back. He says he'll give Dorch peace of mind. Part of the money can be paid up front in cash. The rest can be paid through a 20-year trust fund. If Han talks, the trust will be revoked. This will give her incentive to stay silent.

Dorch nods, feeling some of his stress melt away. Maybe now, after months of uncertainty, he can finally make this Jessica Hahn problem go away once and for all. Now he just has to figure out where to get the money from.

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Hire high-quality, certified pros at Angie.com. In late February 1985, PTL's executive vice president, Richard Dorch, has exactly one goal, to secure enough money to buy Jessica Hahn's silence and save his boss, Jim Baker, from a scandal that could end his career as a televangelist.

Hahn is demanding $265,000. But despite his lavish lifestyle, Baker can't come up with that much money himself. So Dortch reaches out to a man named Roe Messner for help. Messner is the lead contractor for PTL and a close confidant of Baker's. When Dortch explains the situation, Messner agrees to front the money.

Dorch tells Messner that he'll pay him back by tacking the $265,000 onto Messner's bill for Heritage USA Construction Services. So Messner wires the money to Hahn's representatives on February 26th. And the next day, in the presence of a retired judge, Jessica Hahn signs the agreement. When Jim Baker learns that a settlement has been reached, he happily considers the matter resolved. He quickly moves on with his life and his construction plans for a Heritage USA hotel and water park.

The project costs a fortune, and soon PTL's coffers are running low. But Baker has an idea. To help pay for the new building projects, especially the new Heritage Grand Hotel, he applies the principles of the prosperity gospel and comes up with a plan to raise a large amount of money in a short amount of time.

Baker plans to offer Lifetime Partnerships in Heritage USA to his legions of TV followers. All donors have to do is send $1,000 to PTL, and they'll earn the right to claim a three-night stay in the hotel every year for life. This Lifetime Partnership program proves to be a massive moneymaker. But there is a problem. A 500-room hotel can only accommodate so many three-night stays per year. And that number is quickly reached.

So when word gets around that Jim Baker is going to offer even more lifetime partnerships at an upcoming telethon, PTL's vice president of world outreach, Steve Nelson, assumes there must be some kind of mistake. He tries to warn Richard Dortch that there is a fatal flaw with the program, one that could inadvertently steer PTL into a legal catastrophe. But Dortch simply dismisses his concerns. So in October 1985, Nelson decides to take the problem directly to the top.

About 10 minutes before Jim Baker is scheduled to go on air, Nelson jogs down the narrow hallway leading to Baker's dressing room and knocks on the door. When he enters, he finds Baker sitting in front of a mirror lined with high wattage bulbs. He's applying on-camera makeup, giving his skin a warmer tone.

Baker glances into the mirror at Nelson's reflection and asks him if there's something wrong. Nelson looks flushed. Nelson replies that there's a serious problem that Baker must address immediately as soon as he goes on air.

Nelson explains that lifetime partnerships have been oversold. There isn't enough space in the Heritage Grand Hotel to accommodate everyone every year. So Baker must now publicly suspend the program and stop selling new partnerships. If he doesn't, he could be charged with fraud. PTL's reputation might never recover, and Baker could even wind up behind bars.

Baker nods and puts his makeup brush down. Then he smiles into the mirror and says there's no need for Nelson to worry. God will sort everything out. But Nelson shakes his head and reminds Baker that as his World Outreach Vice President, he supervises donor relations and hotel reservations. That means he knows the problem won't go away even by divine intervention. Baker must halt the lifetime partnerships immediately.

Baker then stands, turns, and still grinning, approaches Nelson. He grips Nelson's shoulders and tells him everything's going to be okay. The lifetime partnership program will continue because PTL needs the money and the Lord will make miracles to help them. There's truly nothing for Nelson to be concerned about.

Nelson staggers back and out of Baker's grasp. Baker continues to smile. And then there's a knock. And through the dressing room door, Nelson hears the muffled voice of a production assistant telling Baker that he's on in five. Baker turns away to check his reflection one more time as Nelson walks out of the dressing room, shoulders slumped.

Nelson then stumbles toward the TV studio where the telethon broadcast is about to begin. He now understands that the company he works for is likely breaking the law. And worse, no one cares. Nelson wonders how much longer he'll be able to stay here. He doesn't want to be working for PTO when federal marshals arrive to take Jim Baker away.

As Jim Baker gleefully continues to sell lifetime partnerships, reporter Charles Shepard continues to gather facts related to the Jessica Hahn story. But it's slow going. So far, all he's managed to get from PTL are vague statements and denials. And he still has yet to find anyone who can corroborate Hahn's version of events. Even Hahn herself, since signing her settlement with Baker, has gone silent.

But then finally, Shepard gets a lead. During his first call with Hahn, she mentioned that her rendezvous with Baker had been coordinated by a minister named John Wesley Fletcher. At the time, Fletcher was a close confidant of Baker's. But Shepard learns that Fletcher has since been defrocked and ousted from the Assemblies of God Church over some troubling rumors about his own sexually abusive behavior. So in February 1987, Shepard decides to pay Fletcher an unexpected visit at his home in Oklahoma City.

When Shepard arrives at Fletcher's address, he finds a split-level house on a corner lot in a quiet suburban neighborhood. Shepard walks up to the front door and rings the bell. After a few seconds, a clean-shaven, middle-aged man in cowboy boots and jeans opens the door. He's got neatly combed, reddish-brown hair and cocks his head to the side. Shepard takes a step forward. John Wesley Fletcher? Yeah? My name's Charles Shepard. I'm a reporter with the Charlotte Observer.

I'd like to talk to you about Jessica Hahn. May I come in? Well, I suppose it's only a matter of time. Yeah, come on in. Shepard steps into Fletcher's living room, takes a seat on a faded brown couch. Fletcher sits in a leather easy chair across from him. Now, I invited you in because it would be unchristian to do otherwise, but I don't have much to say, you see. I prefer not to make any comments about Jessica. It's a situation that Jim has put behind him. Well, it's not behind her.

She says you flew her down to Florida in 1980, picked her up from the airport, then on the drive to the hotel told her how good she looked. And then you called her a little Christian bimbo. She says you did and said a lot worse after that. Do you deny it? Fletcher sinks into his chair and then begins to sob. Once he recovers, he looks up. You don't know what I've been through. Everything I did, I did because that's what Jim Baker wanted. Back then, Jim had such a hold on people.

I would have done anything for him. I thought I was saving him and he needed it. He was having problems in his marriage. Oh, he was in horrible shape. Said if he didn't get help, he'd blow his brains out. And Jessica was the help you provided? Yes. But later I found out the truth about Jim Baker. Yeah, he's an awful, awful man.

See, when I worked at PTL, some people started telling lies about me. Said that I was an alcoholic. Said I was sleeping with men. Can you believe it? Well, Jim believed it. And I was pushed out of PTL. Jim just let it happen. That's why I called that one newspaper, the Charlotte News, a few years back. Talked to a reporter, Matthews or something. Mattingly. Terry Mattingly. So that was you. The anonymous caller. Yeah, that was me.

I'm no saint. Well, neither is Jim Baker. And I'll tell you, if I have to take a fall, well, he deserves to take one too. Shepard asks a few more questions and then thanks Fletcher for his time. He says he'll be in touch again to confirm a few things before his article runs, says his goodbyes, and walks out the front door.

Outside, Shepard resists the urge to scream in excitement. This is a huge break in his story, but he knows he isn't done yet. Before he can go to print, there are several others he'll need to talk to first, including, and most importantly, Jim Baker himself.

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visit jdpower.com slash awards. Only at a Sleep Number store or sleepnumber.com. See store for details. To many outside observers, the beginning of 1987 seems to mark a high point in Jim Baker's career. He's become one of the most recognizable faces in Christian media. His ministry claims to have 600,000 supporters and annual revenues of more than $120 million. And he's just broken ground on the $100 million Crystal Palace Ministry Center.

But behind the scenes, Baker's empire is close to shattering. PTL is unable to continue paying for its construction projects. Angry donors are demanding refunds on their lifetime partnerships when they learn that the Heritage Grand Hotel is overbooked. And in late February 1987, PTL Executive Vice President Richard Dortch learns that the Charlotte Observer is planning to publish Charles Shepard's story about the Jessica Hahn scandal next month.

Dortch shifts into damage control immediately. He delivers a statement to Charles Shepard dismissing Hahn's allegations as unsubstantiated rumor. Then Dortch appears on PTL programming and reminds viewers that Jesus said we have to forgive in every situation for every problem.

Jim and his wife Tammy Faye appear on PTL days later and tearfully reveal that Tammy is undergoing treatment for prescription drug dependency. Jim alludes to past marriage troubles, and it all seems like a calculated effort to win sympathy from viewers and also prepare them for the revelations to come.

And Dortch knows there's no stopping those revelations. So in a last-ditch effort to gain some control over the narrative, Dortch hires a New York-based lawyer named Roy Grutman. And shortly before the Charlotte Observer story is set to publish, Grutman calls the paper, promising to arrange an interview with Jim Baker and Richard Dortch so they can explain themselves. But before he speaks to the media, Baker realizes that the time has come for him to break the news to his wife.

After a stint in rehab, Tammy Faye Baker retreated to the couple's new house in California, where she's been staying ever since. And on a warm afternoon in March 1987, Tammy sighs as she reclines into an outdoor lounge chair by her swimming pool. The house has been a true oasis for her after the difficulties she's dealt with lately.

Jim has been more distant than ever, constantly in meeting with advisors, meetings he won't discuss. But Tammy tries not to think about Jim. After years of combating depression by abusing prescription medication, she is now proud to be drug-free for more than 30 days. So now she just wants to remain here by the pool and relax until the sun sets.

But then Tammy hears the screech of the sliding glass door and turns to see Jim. His shoulders are slumped and he's looking pale. His voice is hoarse as he asks Tammy to come inside, saying they need to talk. Tammy rises slowly, ties her robe, and then follows Jim to the bedroom. She asks what's wrong, but he won't respond. And Tammy feels her heart begin to pound. It's obvious that something terrible has happened.

Jim closes the bedroom door behind them. You, uh, you should probably have a seat, Tammy. Why? What's wrong? Just sit down, please. Tammy goes over to the white couch near their four-poster bed and sits. Tammy, I... Jim starts to speak, but stops. Jim, what do you want to tell me? Just say it. Oh, Lord help me. Jim begins to pace. Tam...

I need to tell you something that happened seven years ago. I never said anything before because everyone told me not to. I wanted to tell you, many times. But, Tam, seven years ago, I met a woman. I had sex with her one time. I have never seen her since. The reason I'm telling you is because I believe she's trying to blackmail me. But it's going to be all right now because Jerry Falwell says he wants to help. We're going to meet with Jerry tomorrow. Shut up. Just stop. Stop talking. I'm sorry, Tam. I'm so sorry.

Jim takes a step forward. Please, forgive me. Then he tries to put his arms around Tammy. She shoves him back. No!

Tammy, how could you possibly be so stupid? What if she'd gotten pregnant? What if you caught some disease? Did you even use protection? I wasn't thinking. No, you weren't. Not about me or your children or what this could do to us. Things were so different back then. You have to believe me. We were going through a really hard time, remember? I thought our marriage was over. You had Gary Paxton. Don't you dare try to defend what you've done by bringing him up.

Nothing happened between me and him and you know it. I'm sorry, Tam, you're right. Just tell me what I need to do. Tell me how to fix this. I'll do anything. Tears begin to pour from Tammy's eyes. Was she beautiful? Is that why you did it? I want to know. Tam, I don't even remember what she looks like. Oh, get out. Get out! Jim nods, hanging his head, and walks out of the bedroom. Tammy shoves the door closed behind him.

She shuts her eyes tight and collapses onto the bed, feeling sick to her stomach. But one thing's clear to her, there will be no divorce. God hates divorce because he does not want to see families divided. Tammy understands that now much better than before, after 17 years of motherhood. So though her heart is broken, she will do her best to forgive Jim. She will do it for her children and her faith. And hopefully, the Baker family will figure out a way to get through this together.

Only a few days after Jim Baker confessed to his wife Tammy, Charles Shepard and several of his fellow Charlotte Observer staffers gather in an editor's office. It's time for the much-anticipated phone interview with Jim Baker and Richard Dortch. Shepard is eager to hear what they have to say and knows the article that will follow is likely to be a bombshell.

Shepard slides a cassette into his tape recorder and places it next to a brand new notepad on the desk in front of him. Shepard then exhales slowly as he looks at the many high-ranking colleagues that have joined him here this afternoon. Even the publisher is present. Everyone, it seems, is eager to hear what Jim Baker has to say.

The men are in the office of the Observer's editor, Rich Oppel, Shepard's boss's boss. But Oppel said it was only right that Shepard be the one to sit behind the desk today. A more than two-year investigation by Shepard is about to culminate with this call.

And Shepard's decided that when he speaks to Baker and Dortch, he will be fair but firm. He wants Baker to tell the truth about his past relationship with Jessica Hahn. He wants him to address her assault accusation. And he wants to know if PTL attempted to keep Hahn quiet with hush money. Then the moment that everyone's waiting for comes when the phone rings. Shepard hits the red button on his tape recorder and then answers the phone.

On the other end, lawyer Roy Grutman announces that Baker and Dortch are also on the line via conference call. Shepard begins to ask his first question, but Grutman interrupts. He says that before they can get to anything else, Baker wants to read a prepared statement. Then, on the speakerphone, a man clears his throat several times and then begins to speak. The voice is so shaky that it takes Shepard a few seconds to recognize it as Baker's.

He says that he and Tammy Faye have been subjected to harassment by various groups bent on their destruction. Baker says that the attacks have taken a personal toll, and more than he and his family can bear. Shepard almost rolls his eyes, knowing where this is going. And sure enough, Baker declares that in light of the present strain, he has decided, for the good of his wife and children, to resign as president of PTL. He will step down and leave the company immediately.

As Shepard furiously jots down notes, Baker's voice then suddenly hardens. He says that he's been appalled by the campaign to defame and vilify him. He categorically denies that he has ever sexually assaulted or harassed anyone. That said, he sorrowfully acknowledges that seven years prior, he was wickedly manipulated by treacherous former friends who victimized him with the aid of a female confederate.

Shepard continues scribbling notes furiously and marveling at what he's hearing. But he shouldn't be surprised. It's classic Jim Baker, assigning blame anywhere but on himself. Baker then adds that he sought and gratefully received the loving forgiveness of Jesus. He's told Tammy everything, and she has forgiven him too. Their love is greater and stronger than ever. And now it's time to focus on the future.

The PTL board of directors has accepted his resignation and appointed minister and fellow televangelist Jerry Falwell as its new chairman. Falwell will assume control of PTL and designate a new board of directors. Baker then says he hopes God will bless everyone on the call and hangs up. Lawyer Gruttman then announces he'll take over the call from here on out. Editor Rich Oppel interjects to say he wants to know just exactly how much Jessica Hahn was paid and if the money was paid with PTL funds.

Grutman replies that the transaction with the lady in question was free of any wrongdoing. It was a matter handled confidentially by attorneys working on behalf of Jim Baker, who intends to maintain that confidence. If anyone wants to find someone willing to breach that agreement, they're welcome to ask the lady and her representatives. Throughout his answer, not once does Grutman mention Jessica Hahn by name.

Then Grutman adds that the important thing everyone must remember is this. The claims made by the woman in question were an exaggeration. She has misrepresented the event that took place on December 5th, 1980, and therefore she is not the victim here. There is only one victim, Jim Baker.

Shepard shakes his head at the outrageousness of that statement as he begins to compose the final lines of the Hahn article in his head. With Baker's confirmation of the affair, Shepard knows he can publish his story tomorrow. He can't predict what will happen after that, but he knows one thing. The revelation of Jim Baker's transgressions and the announcement of his resignation will stun PTL's loyal followers and everyone who's watched Jim and Tammy Faye Baker's rise to fame. ♪

From Wondery, this is episode two of Jim and Tammy Faye Baker for American Scandal. On our next episode, Jim Baker grapples with the messy realities of his resignation. Then he prepares for what will become one of the most sensationalized trials of the decade.

Wondery Plus subscribers can binge American Scandal early and ad-free right now. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. If you enjoy American Scandal, be sure to give us a five-star rating and leave a review. I read every one of them. I also have two other Wondery podcasts you might like, American History Tellers and Business Movers. Follow American Scandal on the Wondery app, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. You

You can binge all episodes of American Scandal early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. And before you go, tell us about yourself by completing a short survey at wondery.com slash survey. And to find out more about me, including my other podcasts, go to notthatlindseygram.com. That's notthatlindseygram.com.

If you'd like to learn more about Jim and Tammy Faye Baker, we recommend the books Forgiven by Charles Shepard, PTL by John Wigger, Tammy, Telling It My Way by Tammy Faye Messner, and I Was Wrong by Jim Baker. This episode contains reenactments and dramatized details. And while in most cases we can't know exactly what was said, all our dramatizations are based on historical research.

American Scandal is hosted, edited, and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham, for Airship. Audio editing by Christian Paraga. Sound design by Gabriel Gould. Music by Lindsey Graham. This episode is written by Hannibal Diaz. Edited by Emma Cortland. Fact-checking by Alyssa Jung Perry. Produced by John Reed. Managing producer, Olivia Fonte. Senior producer, Andy Herman. Development by Stephanie Jens. Executive producers are Jenny Lauer Beckman, Marsha Louis, and Erin O'Flaherty for Wondery.

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