Haggard’s former church cuts staff

The Colorado Springs mega-church founded by the Rev. Ted Haggard, who was fired over drug and sex allegations, has laid off 44 people amid falling income following the scandal.

The cuts, announced during services, amount to about 12% of the church’s workforce, associate pastor Rob Brendle said. He estimated that the income of the 14,000-member church had fallen 10%, forcing layoffs including pastoral staff, support staff and nursery workers.

Haggard was fired in November after a Denver man alleged Haggard used methamphetamine in his presence and paid him for sex. Haggard has acknowledged “sexual immorality.” He also stepped down as president of the National Assn. of Evangelicals.