One day after Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a medical emergency during worship, the founder of The Potter’s House filed a defamation lawsuit against a former Pennsylvania pastor and convicted felon. Jakes, 67, is accusing Duane Youngblood, 57, of making false accusations of attempted sexual assault.
During two appearances on the “Larry Reid Live” talk show earlier this fall, Youngblood alleged that Jakes tried to groom and assault him almost 40 years ago. According to the bishop’s lawsuit, afterward, Youngblood demanded $6 million from Jakes—saying that without a payment, he would sue the bishop for sexual assault and harassment.
RELATED: TD Jakes Didn’t Have a Stroke, but Says It ‘Could’ve Been Fatal’
As ChurchLeaders has reported, Jakes fell ill Nov. 24 while leading worship at his Dallas megachurch. One week later, the bishop shared that he didn’t suffer a stroke, but it “could’ve been fatal.” Jakes, who said he was rushed to the ICU and had emergency surgery, praised God for his miraculous intervention and thanked congregants for their prayers.
Lawsuit: TD Jakes Confronts ‘Malicious Lies’
Jakes, who has faced previous unproven allegations of sexual wrongdoing, indicated he’s taking legal action against Youngblood to “set the record straight” and restore his reputation. “Youngblood’s intentional and malicious lies have taken a substantial emotional and physical toll on Bishop Jakes,” the suit noted.
Youngblood, a convicted sex offender who served additional prison time for violating probation, claimed that when he was a teenager, Jakes “tried to kiss me.” The following day, Youngblood alleged, Jakes called him while bathing to say he planned to sleep with the teen.
According to Jakes’ filing, Youngblood’s allegations are “false and defamatory” and “as damaging and damning as anyone can make about a prominent pastor and spiritual leader.” The lawsuit aims to halt an extortion “scheme” and to “end the extreme emotional, physical, and spiritual toll Defendants’ conduct has caused Bishop Jakes.”
In addition to Youngblood, the suit lists 10 unnamed defendants who “have acted in concert and agreement with Youngblood in order to commit defamatory conduct.” Jakes is seeking damages of more than $75,000, as well as punitive damages, attorney fees, and financial damages “in an amount to be specifically determined at trial.”
Earlier this year, Jakes was briefly mentioned but not named as a defendant in legal action taken against disgraced hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Fact-checkers determined that misinformation—partially produced by artificial intelligence—was involved.
Duane Youngblood Sued for Defamation
Jakes’ legal team wrote that Youngblood’s accusations are also damaging to legitimate abuse victims. “Bishop Jakes believes with all his heart that actual victims of sexual abuse should be treated with the utmost respect, kindness, empathy, and sympathy—and that true perpetrators of such abuse should be held accountable for their actions,” the suit reads.
