Thirty-one longtime members of Solomon Temple Missionary Baptist Church have sued the Pittsburg church's pastor and his appointed leaders, claiming misuse of power and financial impropriety.

In the suit filed Oct. 26 in Contra Costa County Superior Court, the Rev. Victor Brice is accused of improperly spending church money and refusing to abide by church bylaws while trying to assert autocratic control of Solomon Temple. The plaintiffs are seeking approximately $200,000 in damages.

Brice denies the assertions.

Since becoming pastor in March 2008, Brice made multiple expenditures without approval from the church's governing body, allowed a tax lien to be recorded against the church property by the Internal Revenue Service, and concealed books and records from members, according to the suit.

The suit also says Brice used about $15,000 in church savings to pay bills that may have been personal; spent more than $300 in church funds on numerous occasions without prior approval; started a "Pastoral Support Offering" collection for his personal and exclusive use; and operated an unauthorized youth summer camp with a weekly $85 fee that could jeopardize the church's tax-exempt status.

In addition to compensation, the suit seeks to terminate Brice's contract as pastor and place a restraining order against him and six other trustees named in the suit for all church-related activities.

The suit also asks for an independent audit of the

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church's property and funds.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs declined to comment.

The assertions made in the lawsuit are "absolutely slanderous and frivolous," Brice said. The pastor said he does not have access to any of the church's bank accounts to pay bills. He said he became aware of the property tax lien issue — which started in 2004 — only five months ago.

Further, he has tithed more than $20,000 to the church since becoming pastor and makes decent money as a construction superintendent, so there's no incentive to steal, he said.

Since becoming pastor, Brice has implemented changes to attract younger churchgoers, like using audio and video equipment and PowerPoint presentations to share God's word, he said. However, there has been some resistance from longtime church members, he said.

"The bottom line is there are some people who don't want change" in the church, he said.

In addition to the lawsuit, Brice said attempts have been made to damage his reputation in the faith community and at the church. Brice said he has received hate mail at his home and on his car outside the California Avenue church.

Solomon Temple has had several clashes between members and sitting pastors over the past decade.

Having to deal with the suit "is a major distraction" because he "can't fully do his job," Brice said.

Brice plans to file a rebuttal to the complaint. A case-management conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 29 in Dept. 6 of Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez.

Paul Burgarino covers Pittsburg and Bay Point. Reach him at 925-779-7164.