Megachurch Lawsuit Takes Wild Turn Amid AI Disputes
Lawyers representing megachurch founder Bishop T.D. Jakes and former pastor Duane Youngblood, who accuses Jakes of sexually assaulting him decades ago, have exchanged accusations regarding errors and improper use of artificial intelligence in an ongoing defamation lawsuit initiated by Jakes. The 67-year-old Jakes, who leads The Potter’s House in Dallas and chairs the T.D. Jakes Foundation, filed the suit last November, shortly after suffering a heart attack during a sermon.
In recent court documents, Jakes’ attorney criticized Youngblood’s attempt to dismiss the case, accusing him of relying on flawed or fabricated legal precedents, possibly generated through AI tools. Jakes’ lawyer argued that the complaint sufficiently outlines all necessary elements for defamation and conspiracy claims, and dismissed Youngblood’s motion as lacking legal merit. In turn, Youngblood’s lawyer pushed back, highlighting numerous misquotes and inaccurate citations within Jakes’ filings, based on an AI-assisted document review. He argued that Jakes failed to meet the legal standards required for a public figure to pursue defamation claims, particularly lacking specific allegations of falsity and malice.
Jakes’ legal team rejected these counterclaims, stating that the AI-based critique used by Youngblood’s counsel was flawed and incomplete. They argued that many of the supposed errors identified were misattributed or arose from quoting Youngblood’s own filings. Furthermore, Jakes’ lawyers accused Youngblood’s team of fabricating quotes and misrepresenting case law, and noted inconsistencies in Youngblood’s story about the alleged assault, particularly about the location where it supposedly occurred.
Youngblood had previously described the assault happening at the home of an older clergywoman during a church revival about 40 years ago, but later shifted his account, claiming it happened inside a car during a drive. Jakes’ attorneys argue that this change in details undermines Youngblood’s credibility and supports claims of falsity and reckless disregard for the truth, key factors in defamation cases involving public figures.
Adding to the tension, Jakes’ legal team revealed that Youngblood’s attorney had sent a $6 million demand letter seeking a private settlement before proceeding with the sexual assault lawsuit. The ongoing legal battle thus centers not only on the veracity of Youngblood’s allegations but also on complex legal arguments over proper citation, use of AI in legal documents, and the standards required for defamation claims against a public figure like Bishop Jakes.