TD Jakes’ Sworn Statement Under Oath: ‘I’m Not Gay’

Megachurch pastor T.D. Jakes has formally denied allegations that he sexually assaulted former pastor Duane Youngblood as a teenager or his older brother, Pastor Richard Edwin Youngblood. In a 562-page legal response filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Jakes and his legal team dismissed the claims as a coordinated “campaign of lies” designed to extort $6 million from him.

The filing, which was reviewed by The Christian Post, is part of Jakes’ ongoing defamation lawsuit against his accusers. His legal team argues that the allegations are not only false but were part of a failed extortion attempt, and they are fighting back against a motion to dismiss his defamation claims.

Jakes Asserts His Innocence in Legal Battle

Jakes’ response was filed after his accusers sought to dismiss the defamation lawsuit under Pennsylvania’s anti-SLAPP statute, a law designed to prevent lawsuits aimed at silencing critics. His legal team, however, vigorously opposes the dismissal, arguing that the accusations were fabricated to damage his reputation and force him into a financial settlement.

Jakes, a widely respected spiritual leader and founder of The Potter’s House in Dallas, has built an international reputation as a preacher, author, and businessman. His ministry, books, films, and conferences have made him one of the most influential pastors in the world, making these allegations particularly shocking to his followers.

Legal Team Pushes Back Against Accusers
Jakes has enlisted a team of high-profile attorneys to defend him, including: Devin J. Chwastyk (McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, Pennsylvania), Dustin A. Pusch (Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP, Washington D.C.), Derrelle M. Janey (The Janey Law Firm P.C., New York City)

Together, they have aggressively challenged the credibility of the accusers, arguing that the claims are baseless and driven by ulterior motives.

Allegations Called “A Smear Campaign”

Jakes’ legal team is not just denying the allegations but also painting the accusations as part of a broader smear campaign. The lawsuit alleges that his accusers attempted to coerce him into a multimillion-dollar settlement, and when that failed, they turned to public accusations.

Jakes has long been one of the most prominent voices in modern Christianity, and his name has rarely been associated with scandal. His followers have rallied around him, expressing support and skepticism about the accusations.

TD Jakes Statement

The filing includes an eight-page affidavit from Jakes, who declares under penalty of perjury that the claims made against him by the Youngblood brothers and multiple John Does are malicious lies.

“I have reviewed the affidavits of Duane Youngblood and Richard Youngblood submitted in support of the motion to dismiss. The statements in these affidavits purport to describe situations where I harbored carnal desires for these men. These statements are knowingly and flagrantly false,” Jakes, who founded the 80,000-member Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, states in the affidavit.

“I am repulsed by these defamatory accusations and the $6 million extortion letter I received from Duane Youngblood’s attorney, Tyrone Blackburn.”

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