By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-25 23:10:56 | Updated at 2024-11-26 02:00:00
3 hours ago
Bishop TD Jakes is in stable condition a day after suffering a medical emergency during a sermon — but the mega-church pastor is facing another hurdle related to sex abuse allegations.
Jakes, 67, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Duane Youngblood, a fellow pastor who claimed Jakes tried to sexually assault him when he was 18 or 19 years old, The Post has learned.
Youngblood made the explosive claims against the popular motivational speaker on an Oct. 27 episode of the “Larry Reid Live” podcast, alleging Jakes tried to groom him and also hugged and “tried to kiss” him.
The younger pastor and his attorney Tyrone Blackburn, who represented Lil Rod in his lawsuit against Diddy — then demanded $6 million from Jakes “in order to resolve this matter quickly and privately” in a Nov. 15 legal filing.
Youngblood said if Jakes didn’t cough up the cash, he’d sue him for sexual assault and harassment.
Jakes instead opted to file a defamation suit against Youngblood in Pennsylvania federal court.
In their filing, Jakes’ attorneys seemed to hint that the stress of the lawsuit might have contributed to his medical emergency on Sunday.
“This lawsuit is intended to bring that scheme to a halt,” Jakes team wrote, “to end the extreme emotional, physical, and spiritual toll Defendants’ conduct has caused Bishop Jakes, to set the record straight so the world understands the patent falsity of the accusations, and to restore Bishop Jakes’s reputation.”
“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 filing continues. “But that is not the case here. Youngblood has used and abused the might of social media and the legal process to … make knowingly false accusations for his own personal and financial gain.”
Jakes’ team also pointed out that Youngblood is a registered sex offender in the state of Pennsylvania and is currently on parole.
The Post has verified that Youngblood had previously pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting at least two teenage boys. He now claims to be reformed and even published a book, “Freedom from Homosexuality: No Longer Living the Lie.”
An attorney for Youngblood did not immediately return The Post’s message.
The motivational speaker — born Thomas Dexter Jakes — founded The Potters House, a “non-denominational, multicultural church,” in 1996. According to the church’s website, it has more than 30,000 members.
With the lawsuit filed, Jakes’ team told The Post that he is continuing to undergo tests as he physically recuperates from Sunday’s incident.
“At the conclusion of yesterday’s service, after ministering for nearly an hour and a half, Bishop Jakes experienced a moment that brought him face-to-face with his own humanity,” Jakes’ team said.
“He is doing well and remains under medical supervision. Medical professionals have ruled out a stroke, but continue testing. Bishop James remains in good condition. We are grateful for continued prayers and outpouring of love and support.”
