Bethany Reformed Church of Lynwood v. Hager

This is a forcible detainer action in which plaintiff church seeks possession of a single-family residence used as a parsonage and occupied by defendant, Harry J. Hager, the church’s former pastor. The defendant concedes he gained possession of the parsonage solely because he was the church’s pastor. The defendant filed two affirmative defenses. One alleged that his ministry had been terminated but that he executed the termination agreement under duress and under the threat of being fired. During oral argument, defendant’s attorney acknowledged that his employment as pastor had been…