Attorney of Man Who Accused TD Jakes of Sexual Abuse Facing Sanctions, Judge Rips Him For Huge ‘Ethical Violations’
Duane Youngblood, a former Pennsylvania pastor, has encountered a significant obstacle in his legal battle with Bishop T.D. Jakes after a judge accused Youngblood’s attorney of presenting fabricated quotations and case law, labeling the actions as “clear ethical violations of the highest order,” according to The Christian Post.
In October 2024, Youngblood, previously the leader of Higher Call World Outreach Church, appeared on Larry Reid Live, alleging that Jakes groomed him as a teenager and attempted to kiss him, an advance Youngblood claims he rejected. Youngblood, a registered sex offender with prior convictions for molesting teenage boys, and his lawyer filed a $6 million lawsuit against Jakes, seeking to settle the matter privately and avoid pursuing claims of sexual assault and harassment from four decades ago.
Jakes rejected the offer and countersued for defamation, sparking a legal battle that Youngblood has struggled to defend. Last month, the judge rejected Youngblood’s motion to dismiss the case, during which the court uncovered fraudulent actions by Youngblood’s lawyers. The CP reports:
In an eight-page memorandum order filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Thursday, U.S. District Judge William S. Stickman cited significant fabrications and misrepresentations of caselaw by New York City attorney Tyrone Blackburn, whose client claims that Jakes sexually assaulted him when he was a teenager some 40 years ago. Jakes has denied those allegations.
“While reviewing Blackburn’s briefs, the Court became aware of the fact that they contain wholly fabricated quotations from caselaw — including fabricated quotations from the Court’s own prior opinion. … In addition to including non-existent quotations, the briefs repeatedly misrepresent case law.”
In response to the accusations, Blackburn persisted, again using fabricated quotations and “repeated misrepresentations of actual case law,” leading the judge to conclude, “The Court views Blackburn’s conduct as a clear ethical violation of the highest order.” Speculation suggests Blackburn used ChatGPT to craft his response and legal arguments, and he now faces a sanctions hearing next month.
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