Bishop T.D. Jakes, 67, has filed a defamation lawsuit against pastor Duane Youngblood

Bishop T.D. Jakes, 67, has filed a defamation lawsuit against fellow pastor Duane Youngblood, who accused the religious leader of attempting to sexually assault him decades ago. This was unveiled during the “Larry Reid Live” podcast, claim that Jakes tried to groom Youngblood and allegedly attempted to hug and kiss him when Youngblood was 18 or 19 years old.
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The lawsuit was filed just one day after Jakes suffered a medical emergency during a sermon at his church, which his legal team suggested may have been caused by the stress of the accusations.
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In the podcast, Youngblood accused Jakes of inappropriate behavior and ordered Jakes to pay $6 million dollars to resolve the matter “quickly and privately.” According to court documents, Youngblood threatened to sue Jakes for sexual assault and harassment if the payment was not made.
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Rather than comply, Jakes filed a defamation lawsuit in Pennsylvania federal court. His legal team described the claims as a calculated effort to exploit social media and legal systems for personal and financial gain.
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“This lawsuit is intended to bring that scheme to a halt,” Jakes’ attorneys stated in the filing. “It aims to end the extreme emotional, physical, and spiritual toll Defendants’ conduct has caused Bishop Jakes, to set the record straight, and to restore Bishop Jakes’ reputation.”
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Jakes’ team also highlighted Youngblood’s criminal history. A registered sex offender in Pennsylvania, Youngblood has previously pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting multiple teenage boys and is currently on parole.
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In the aftermath of Sunday’s medical emergency, Jakes is reportedly undergoing further medical evaluations while continuing his ministry work. His team emphasized that the defamation lawsuit is not only a response to the accusations but also a bid to clear his name…
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