Over recent weeks, Daystar Television Network, a prominent Christian broadcasting entity established by the late Marcus Lamb in 1997, has become embroiled in a significant controversy. This upheaval centers around serious allegations made by Marcus Lamb’s son, Jonathan Lamb, and his wife, Suzy, concerning the welfare of their young daughter and the subsequent handling of these matters by Daystar leadership. At the heart of these allegations, and the question many are asking, is “Who Is Pete On Daystar?”
The controversy erupted amidst a backdrop of internal disputes regarding leadership transitions within the Daystar organization. Following Marcus Lamb’s death in 2021 due to COVID-19 complications, his wife, Joni Lamb, assumed the presidency. Jonathan Lamb, previously a vice president, faced demotion in April after reportedly refusing to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). This leadership reshuffling and the allegations of mishandled serious claims have thrust Daystar into the public spotlight, prompting intense scrutiny and raising questions about the network’s internal dynamics and ethical conduct.
Adding fuel to the fire, audio recordings obtained by investigative reporter Julie Roys surfaced, capturing conversations between Jonathan Lamb and a Daystar representative. These recordings allude to a document Jonathan declined to sign and the ultimatum he faced – removal from the board and his vice president position if he didn’t comply. While the specific context of the document remains unclear from the provided snippets, the audio suggests a tense standoff preceding Jonathan’s eventual termination from the network earlier this month. Daystar cited “deficiencies” in Jonathan’s “judgment and performance” as the official reason for his dismissal.
The situation’s complexity is further amplified by the involvement of Jonathan’s sisters and brothers-in-law, who also hold positions within Daystar. This familial entanglement adds layers of intricacy to an already fraught scenario, potentially influencing internal alliances and conflicts.
Jonathan Lamb has claimed that he was initially intended to succeed his father as the head of Daystar. However, he alleges that these succession plans were altered after he and Suzy brought forward the aforementioned allegations of misconduct. According to Jonathan, just days after a family disagreement regarding these claims, Marcus Lamb communicated a revised succession strategy, designating Joni Lamb as his successor in the event of his death. Jonathan believes this shift was a direct “punishment” for raising concerns about the alleged abuse of his daughter. Marcus Lamb passed away merely three months after this email, and Joni Lamb subsequently assumed leadership of Daystar.
Unpacking the Allegations and the Role of “Pete”
Jonathan and Suzy Lamb publicly addressed the unfolding situation in a video released last month, explaining their decision to bring these private family matters into the public domain. They stated a divine calling to speak out and felt compelled to pursue this course of action despite the personal toll. They also indicated sharing their narrative with journalists, including Julie Roys, to ensure transparency and accountability.
“We never dreamed this would be our lives,” Suzy Lamb stated in the video, highlighting the unexpected and unwanted nature of the situation. Citing safety concerns, they disclosed being in an undisclosed location. Roys’ subsequent report provided deeper insight into the allegations, centering on the disturbing claims made by Jonathan and Suzy Lamb.
According to Roys’ report, Jonathan and Suzy’s young daughter disclosed several years ago that she had been molested. Initially, the child’s description of the perpetrator was vague. Over time, suspicions grew, focusing on an unidentified family member referred to only as “Pete” by Roys to protect the child’s privacy and the ongoing nature of the sensitive situation. This is where the central question “Who is Pete on Daystar?” gains prominence.
Several factors heightened suspicions around “Pete.” One key element was an alleged incident where “Pete” reportedly recounted a story about the child walking in on him while he was naked in the bathroom. Furthermore, following the disclosure of molestation, the young girl purportedly expressed fear about visiting Daystar, where “Pete” was employed. These details, while not definitive proof, contributed to the mounting concerns within the Lamb family.
In response to these serious allegations, Joni Lamb released a video statement dismissing the claims as a “smear campaign” driven by Jonathan’s disappointment at not being named president of Daystar. She asserted that Jonathan’s termination was the culmination of a 15-month performance review and his failure to improve.
“Rather than take any steps to improve his performance at Daystar, it seems clear now that Jonathan was focused on fabricating a smear campaign,” Joni Lamb stated. She further elaborated that Jonathan’s dissatisfaction stemmed from not succeeding his father as president, despite Marcus Lamb’s clear directive for Joni to take over. Joni also suggested that her marriage to Doug Weiss further exacerbated Jonathan’s disappointment. Joni Lamb has also accused Jonathan of escalating the situation to “attempted blackmail” in an effort to secure the Daystar presidency for himself. She vehemently denied any wrongdoing and asserted her decision to address the allegations publicly was necessary.
Daystar, in its response to Roys’ report, provided rebuttals and counter-arguments to many of the claims. These responses aim to defend the network’s actions and reputation amidst the unfolding controversy.
“Pete’s” Attorney Responds
Adding another layer to the complex narrative, Mark Daniel, an attorney representing “Pete,” issued a letter to Julie Roys, unequivocally denying the allegations against his client and labeling them “baseless.”
“[Pete] unequivocally denies the statements made by Jonathan and Suzy Lamb alleging that he engaged in some form of improper contact with any child,” Daniel wrote. He characterized the allegations as “slanderous,” “false,” “insulting,” and “demeaning,” asserting that those who know “Pete” would recognize the falsity of these claims.
Daniel also questioned the sincerity of Jonathan and Suzy’s allegations, suggesting inconsistencies by pointing out that the couple continued to travel with “Pete” and his family. This echoes some of the points raised in Joni Lamb’s defense of Daystar and her family.
Jonathan Lamb countered this claim, explaining that he and Suzy had established a “strict boundary” preventing “Pete” and his wife from being alone with their daughter. He further stated that “Pete” had not been welcome at their home since a 2021 retreat, indicating a pre-existing awareness and concern regarding “Pete”‘s interactions with their child.
The future trajectory of this situation remains uncertain. Both sides appear firmly entrenched in their positions, suggesting a potentially protracted and contentious unfolding of events. The question “Who is Pete on Daystar?” remains largely unanswered in terms of definitive identification in public reports, but the allegations surrounding this individual are central to the ongoing controversy engulfing Daystar Television Network and the Lamb family. The lack of clarity surrounding “Pete”‘s identity underscores the sensitive and potentially legally fraught nature of the accusations, highlighting the complexities of navigating such personal and public disputes within a prominent religious organization.
Editor’s Note: The Roys Report has since issued a correction to their original story, stating “Our initial report said “Pete” was alone in the room with Jonathan and Suzy’s daughter. “Pete” was holding a baby in his arms and Jonathan and Suzy’s son was on a bunk on the opposite side of the room.”
This article originally appeared on CBN News, and is reposted with permission.
Reprinted with permission from cbn.com. Copyright © 2024 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.
Billy Hallowell writes for CBN’s Faithwire.com. He has been working in journalism and media for more than a decade. His writings have appeared in CBN News, Faithwire, Deseret News, TheBlaze, Human Events, Mediaite, PureFlix, and Fox News, among other outlets. He is the author of several books, including Playing with Fire: A Modern Investigation Into Demons, Exorcism, and Ghosts Hallowell has a B.A. in journalism and broadcasting from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York and an M.S. in social research from Hunter College in Manhattan, New York.
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