Bishop T.D. Jakes has filed a defamation lawsuit against Pastor Duane Youngblood, accusing him of making false sexual abuse allegations and attempting to extort $6 million. Youngblood, who is a convicted sex offender, alleged during a podcast that Jakes groomed and sexually assaulted him decades ago. Jakes, however, has categorically denied these claims, describing them as baseless fabrications intended to damage his reputation and deflect attention from Youngblood’s criminal past .
In the lawsuit filed in a Pennsylvania federal court, Jakes’ legal team described Youngblood’s accusations as part of a calculated scheme to extort money and harm the bishop’s character. The allegations have caused significant emotional and reputational harm to Jakes, who emphasized that he is an advocate for actual abuse victims and holds perpetrators accountable. The filing aims to halt Youngblood’s actions and restore Jakes’ public image .
Youngblood, a registered sex offender, previously pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting minors and is currently on parole. Despite his claims of reformation and his publicized book on overcoming homosexuality, his allegations against Jakes have been met with skepticism due to his criminal history. Jakes’ legal team highlighted this context in their filing to strengthen their case against the pastor .
The situation has also taken a toll on Bishop Jakes’ health. After delivering a sermon recently, he experienced a medical emergency that his team partially attributed to the stress from the allegations. Medical professionals ruled out a stroke, but Jakes continues to undergo tests while remaining under medical supervision. His team expressed gratitude for the public’s prayers and support during this challenging time .
Jakes, who founded The Potter’s House in Dallas, a church with over 30,000 members, has been a prominent religious leader and motivational speaker. He expressed concern about the misuse of social media and legal systems for personal gain, calling for justice to address the false accusations. His defamation lawsuit seeks to reinforce the importance of integrity and accountability within the faith community .
The case underscores broader issues surrounding the weaponization of accusations in public discourse and the need for due process. Jakes’ legal team has reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and his resolve to protect his reputation while advocating for genuine abuse survivors. The lawsuit aims to set a precedent for addressing false claims that exploit the vulnerabilities of public figures .
