By Rebecca Johnson // EEW Magazine Online

Bishop T.D. Jakes, a prominent Christian leader and founder of The Potter’s House in Dallas, has filed a defamation lawsuit against former pastor Duane Youngblood in response to allegations of attempted sexual assault, reports NY Post.

The claims, made during a podcast interview, date back nearly 40 years to when Youngblood was a teenager. Jakes has strongly denied the allegations and characterized them as false and defamatory.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court last Monday, alleges that Youngblood, 57, made libelous statements during an October episode of the podcast Larry Reid Live. Youngblood accused Jakes of attempting to groom and sexually assault him in Pittsburgh in the 1980s. Jakes, now 67, contends that the accusations are an attempt to extort $6 million from him.

Background of the Allegations

During the podcast, Youngblood claimed that Jakes tried to kiss him and made inappropriate advances while visiting a local church in Pittsburgh. Youngblood also described the alleged encounter as “extremely damaging.” A follow-up episode in November repeated these allegations, escalating them to attempted sexual assault.

In a letter dated November 15, a lawyer representing Youngblood demanded $6 million to resolve the matter privately. According to Jakes’ lawsuit, the letter threatened that failure to pay would result in legal action and further public disclosures.

Jakes Responds

Jakes has categorically denied the allegations, describing them in the lawsuit as patently false and part of a campaign to tarnish his reputation. The lawsuit accuses Youngblood of exploiting social media and public platforms for personal and financial gain. “This lawsuit is intended to bring that scheme to a halt,” the filing states, alleging that Youngblood’s accusations have caused significant emotional, physical, and reputational harm to Jakes.

The complaint also connects the alleged stress of these accusations to a medical incident Jakes experienced last Sunday after a sermon, when he appeared to falter on stage and required medical attention. An initial statement from The Potter’s House characterized the episode as a “slight health incident,” though Jakes now says it was a “a life-threatening calamity,” requiring “emergency surgery."

Jakes provided the update virtually Sunday through a livestream from The Potter's House Dallas. He did not give details about the exact nature of the health condition and is at home recuperating.

Youngblood’s Criminal History

Youngblood, a former pastor of Higher Call World Outreach Ministries in Homestead, Pennsylvania, has a documented history of sexual misconduct. In 2006, he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy under his care, receiving a prison sentence of 4½ to 9 years. In 2014, he pleaded guilty again to corruption of minors and is now a registered sex offender for life.

Jakes’ legal team argues that Youngblood’s allegations are an attempt to divert attention from his own criminal past. The lawsuit states that Youngblood misrepresented the circumstances of his convictions during the podcast, where he described himself as a victim of abuse by religious leaders.

Broader Implications

The lawsuit comes at a challenging time for Jakes, whose public image has faced intense scrutiny lately.

In December 2023, unverified social media reports alleged that Bishop T.D. Jakes participated in sex parties hosted by music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. These claims, which included questions regarding Jakes' sexual orientation and suggested involvement in misconduct, were widely circulated online.

A representative for Bishop Jakes, Jordan A. Hora, Executive Director of Public Relations and Communications for T.D. Jakes Ministries, categorically denied the allegations, describing them as "unequivocally false and baseless."

Earlier this year, his name also surfaced in a lawsuit involving embattled music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs—though Jakes is not a defendant. The case references Jakes as someone Combs sought for reputation management amidst allegations of sexual misconduct.

Additionally, Derrick Williams, Executive Vice President of T.D. Jakes Entertainment, addressed a video showing Bishop Jakes at Diddy's 53rd birthday party in Los Angeles. Williams clarified that Bishop Jakes made a brief appearance at the event out of respect, as his sermons are aired on Diddy's Revolt Network, and left shortly thereafter to attend other scheduled meetings. Williams stated that any claims beyond this are "wholly unsubstantiated, unverified, and false."

These earlier clarifications and denials are now part of the broader context as Jakes pursues a lawsuit against Youngblood, seeking damages for libel and civil conspiracy. The lawsuit alleges that such claims have negatively impacted his philanthropic efforts and public standing, citing his extensive work as a spiritual advisor and community leader.

Statement from Jakes’ Team

In the lawsuit, Jakes expressed concern for victims sexually violated by predators, stating, “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. But that is not the case here.”

Neither Youngblood nor his legal representatives have publicly responded to the lawsuit at the time of publication.