In 2001, Jessica Battle, a college student who had been part of the Cathedral’s dance group, sued Paulk, accusing him of molesting her between the ages of 7 and 11, and later of forcing himself on her when she was 17. The suit was settled out of court in 2003 for $400,000. In 2003, Cindy Hall claimed that Paulk had convinced her into a lengthy affair that also included her having sex with Don. Hall alleged that the affair began in 1983 when Paulk prayed for her, then kissed her. He then would say he intended to "make love" to her. At one point, Paulk supposedly would tell her that they had a "special gift of love outside holy matrimony". The relationship became a weekly occurrence. Hall left the church in 2003 after being convinced that Battle was telling the truth about being molested by Paulk. Hall also claims that at Paulk’s request, she denied having sex with him, lying under oath at her deposition for the Battle case.