Bishop T.D. Jakes Cited in Legal Action Against Sean 'Diddy' Combs Over Image Management Claims

Mar 28

By Adriana Wilson // Scandal // EEW Magazine Online

Bishop T.D. Jakes, the prominent leader of The Potter’s House in Dallas, has been named in a federal lawsuit against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs concerning possible attempts to manage Combs' public image following serious allegations, reports Dallas Morning News.

Federal agents conducted raids on Combs' properties in Los Angeles and Miami as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation. Combs has found himself at the center of multiple lawsuits over the past year alleging sexual assault and sex trafficking.

February 2024 saw producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones bring a lawsuit against Combs and his associates in the Southern District of New York, claiming their involvement in a "sex-trafficking venture." Within the 73-page document, Jakes is mentioned in connection with Combs' strategy to mitigate negative publicity stemming from a lawsuit filed by Cassie Ventura, Combs’ ex-girlfriend.

Jakes is mentioned once in the suit, which states that Jones has “irrefutable evidence” of “Mr. Combs detailing how he planned to leverage his relationship with Bishop T.D. Jakes to soften the impact on his public image of Cassie Ventura’s lawsuit.”

Ventura's legal action, filed in November 2023, accuses Combs of subjecting her to "abuse, violence, and sex trafficking," with additional suits from three other women following suit last year.

A representative for Bishop Jakes has refrained from commenting on the lawsuit.

The lawsuit brought by Jones also lists other high-profile figures such as Prince Harry, actor Cuba Gooding Jr., and rapper Yung Miami.

As previously reported by EEW Magazine Online, Bishop Jakes faced uncorroborated allegations on social media in December 2023, suggesting involvement in sex parties hosted by Combs. During a Christmas Eve service, Jakes addressed the congregation, asserting his innocence regarding the allegations.

Jordan Hora, director of communications for The Potter’s House and T.D. Jakes Ministries, has categorically denied the social media claims as "unequivocally false and baseless" in a statement to The Christian Post.

In late 2022, footage of Jakes at Combs' 53rd birthday celebration led to criticism on social media platforms. Derrick Williams, executive vice president of entertainment at T.D. Jakes Enterprises, clarified that the visit was brief and solely for the purpose of recording a birthday message, denying any wrongdoing.

Bishop Jakes's connection to Combs extends to a professional collaboration with Revolt Media, the cable TV network co-founded by Combs, for "Kingdom Culture with T.D. Jakes," a sermon series. Combs stepped down as chair of Revolt Media and recently sold his stake in the company.

Founded in 1996, The Potter’s House boasts a membership of 30,000 and is known for its global humanitarian initiatives led by Bishop Jakes.