Judge Joe Brown Shuts Down Speculation About Allegedly Assaulting Sheryl Lee Ralph

The internet is known to spark a rumor or two, but Judge Joe Brown is snapping back. The famed television judge is familiar, considering his show has been on the air for decades. Brown is known as a no-nonsense character who abides by the law, but a recent story by an actress thrust his name into infamy. Iconic entertainer Sheryl Lee Ralph recently visited Way Up with Angela Yee and revealed that many years ago, she was sexually assaulted. She also noted that her assailant was a famous television judge.

“I’m at a very public place. I was suited,” she said. “I was handling my business for the television show I was on at that time. We were on the same network. This man walked in grabbed me by the back of my neck, turned me around and rammed his nasty ass tongue down my throat. And everybody at the network saw it.” Ralph further shared she called the mayor of New Orleans at the time, for help. Moriel was ready to send the authorities over immediately, but someone stopped Ralph from moving forward.

Judge Joe Brown Denies Allegations

“The mayor of New Orleans at the time was Marc Morial,” Ralph also said. “I called Marc Morial, he said ‘you want me to send the police there right now? ‘Cause we will fix his—you know what—right now.’ Somebody at the network tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘Please don’t.’ Do you know that they did not want any bad press around their show and did not care what had just happened to me?” It didn’t take long for the internet to weigh in, and soon, Brown’s name was entangled in scandal. However, he emerged with a statement via Twitter denying any involvement.

“There’re false rumors being spread that I mistreated a certain lady ≈ 25 yrs ago, he wrote. “I categorically deny both the accusations & acquaintance with the lady. Those rumors started with certain identified parties & spread. They ought ‘Cease & Desist’ or contemplate a Defamation Action.” Ralph never named her assailant or Brown during or after the interview. Additionally, Brown didn’t outright name Ralph, either.

Continuing To Defend His Name

Judge Joe Brown also answered his followers who popped up in his comment section. He thanked supporters for encouraging him through the rumors and answered fans who had questions about the controversy. Meanwhile, Ralph hasn’t responded to the speculation, nor does it seem she will name the assailant. Watch the clip of Sheryl Lee Ralph detailing her story above.

[via]