Christian Group Leader Quits Over Prostitution Case

A day after he was charged with soliciting a prostitute, a former lawmaker resigned Friday as president of the Christian Action League of North Carolina.

Coy C. Privette, 74, of Kannapolis, was charged with six counts of misdemeanor aiding and abetting prostitution by renting a hotel room and paying for sexual acts, according to warrants. Tiffany Denise Summers, 32, of Salisbury, was charged with six counts of prostitution in the case, warrants show.

A retired Baptist minister, Privette served four terms in the state House and is a member of the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners.

The Christian Action League board of directors suspended him Thursday, pending the outcome of the criminal case. The organization represents Christian groups' interests in the General Assembly.

Privette submitted his resignation to the league Friday, saying the nature of the allegations meant it was in the best interest s of the Christian Action League that he step down.

Privette had been the group’s president for the past six years and served as its executive director for 15 years before that. He has been one of the state's most vocal opponents to the lottery and to alcohol sales.

Privette is due in court on Aug. 22 to face the prostitution charges.