In a significant legal development, megachurch leader Bishop T.D. Jakes has firmly responded to unsettling allegations made against him, detailing a long history of defamation that he claims has begun to impact his life and health. Recently filed documents in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania elaborate on Jakes’ rebuttal to accusations made by former pastor Duane Youngblood and his brother, Richard. These assertions include allegations of sexual misconduct that Jakes categorically denies as part of a “campaign of lies.”
Bishop T.D. Jakes is defending a defamation suit he filed wks ago, after 2 ministers accused him of sexual misconduct.
“We filed this lawsuit against individuals who were supposed to be men of God but are clearly not," stated @BishopJakes in legal filing.https://t.co/EAWZsTPreT
— Julie Roys (@reachjulieroys) February 19, 2025
The 68-year-old bishop, who oversees the large congregation at the Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, provided a lengthy 562-page court filing in which he denounced the allegations as a part of a failed attempt to extort him for $6 million. His legal team, comprising several high-profile attorneys, has launched an assertive challenge against the credibility of those making the claims. Jakes expressed his grievances in an eight-page affidavit, declaring that the claims made by the Youngblood brothers are fabrications. “These statements are knowingly and flagrantly false,” he stresses, voicing his distress over the gravity of the accusations.
Richard Youngblood accused Jakes of attempting to sexually assault him years ago during a ministry travel trip, detailing an uncomfortable occurrence in a hotel room. He alleged that Jakes climbed into bed with him, an encounter he describes as horrifyingly unexpected. The specifics of the allegations were detailed in a sworn affidavit, stirring further controversy around the bishop’s reputation.
Meanwhile, Duane Youngblood has supported his claims with additional affidavits from others who have backed his story. He alleges that following his public statements, both he and his family faced intimidation linked to Jakes and his associates. Their motion to dismiss the defamation lawsuit brought forth by Jakes has sparked a contentious back-and-forth, with accusations flying on both sides.
In a dramatic reveal, Jakes recounted the toll these events have taken on his family, his health, and his emotional well-being. He explained that for years he opted to remain silent in the face of ongoing smears against his character, a decision that ultimately proved damaging. This battle was particularly pronounced shortly after Jakes survived a health scare while preaching, which he claimed served as a wake-up call. “Every person has a breaking point. I have reached mine. I authorized this lawsuit because I can no longer remain silent,” he stated emphatically in his affidavit.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Youngblood has alleged that demands for a financial settlement came shortly after he went public with his story. Jakes counters this with his own narrative, asserting that he was struggling financially at the time and claims the notion that he would solicit sexual favors for monetary support is absurd. “This assertion is not only ludicrous; it is a bald-faced lie,” he insists, making it clear that he feels the accusations stem from deeper personal grievances rather than any concrete incidents.
This ongoing feud underscores a deeper conflict that has seemingly engulfed both men, with public accusations and legal maneuvers increasingly defining the narrative. Jakes’ lawsuit against the Youngblood brothers marks his unprecedented choice to confront the allegations directly in a legal arena, taking action he claims is overdue considering the extensive damage to his personal and professional life.
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