A high-profile defamation lawsuit brought by Bishop T.D. Jakes against Pittsburgh pastor Duane Youngblood has ended. The voluntary dismissal, filed October 16 in U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania, closes a year-long legal battle that stemmed from online allegations and drew national scrutiny.
Defamation Claims Followed Online Accusations
In November 2024, Jakes filed suit after Youngblood accused him in two YouTube podcasts of sexual misconduct. The videos, hosted by Atlanta-based broadcaster Larry Reid, featured explicit allegations. According to the lawsuit, Youngblood also attempted to extort $6 million from Jakes, threatening to sue if he didn’t comply.
Jakes denied all allegations, claiming they were false and damaged his reputation. His legal team asserted that Youngblood’s comments and use of Jakes’s image were unauthorized and defamatory.
Youngblood’s Legal Defense and Criminal History
Youngblood, a twice-convicted felon for child sex abuse and pastor of The Church of the Harvest, denied wrongdoing. His attorneys argued the statements were protected under the First Amendment as opinions or commentary on matters of public interest.
The lawsuit later drew in Jakes’s son, Jermaine, as the dispute widened.
AI Misuse by Defense Attorney Complicates Case
Attorney Tyrone Blackburn, who had represented Youngblood, withdrew from the case shortly before its dismissal. Judge William Stickman IV sanctioned Blackburn for submitting court documents with fake citations generated by artificial intelligence. The court fined Blackburn $5,000, sharply criticizing his use of AI in legal filings.
This controversy added further complications to an already volatile case.
Case Ends Without Prejudice, May Be Refiled
The case was dismissed under Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(ii), meaning all parties agreed and no further court action is expected. The dismissal was “without prejudice,” allowing Jakes the option to refile the claims.
Attorneys for both sides signed the filing. Jakes’s counsel emphasized earlier legal victories and said the bishop would now focus on ministry. Legal experts say such dismissals often indicate a private resolution or a strategic decision to avoid prolonged litigation.
Supporters of Jakes welcomed the dismissal as vindication. Critics of the legal process raised concerns about public accountability and transparency in high-profile religious disputes.
Source:
Jakes, Youngblood End Legal Battle Over Sexual Assault Claims with Joint Dismissal
Image: Pamela Reynoso
About Post Author
