As social media digs into the unknown identity of Sheryl Lee Ralph’s assailant, Judge Joe Brown has denied he was responsible.
Though he did not name-drop Ralph, his retweets since the denial and comment section replies seemingly indicate he’s referring to Ralph’s alleged experience.
“There’re false rumors being spread that I mistreated a certain lady≈ 25 yrs ago. 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,” Judge Joe Brown tweeted on March 24.
Judge Joe Brown’s tweet has received over 222,000 views and more than 200 comments and quote tweets since publishing on Friday.
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There’re false rumors being spread that I mistreated a certain lady ≈ 25 yrs ago
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
— JudgeJoeBrown (@JudgeJoeBrownTV) March 24, 2023
Last week, Ralph revealed on Way Up with Angela Yee that a “famous TV judge” sexually assaulted her. The award-winning actress said she was at a network event in Louisiana when the TV judge grabbed her by the neck, turned her around, and “rammed his nasty a** tongue down [her] throat.”
Ralph said, “everyone at the network saw it,” including an executive who allegedly asked her not to involve the police. In Sheryl’s words, “they did not want any bad press around their show and did not care what had just happened to [her].”
Sheryl did not identify the judge in her story but cleared Judge Greg Mathis of any wrongdoing–calling him a “great man.”
This appears to be knowledge Joe Brown has–given the “she hasn’t” reply he tweeted at the question, “when did she say your name.”
She hasn’t …
— JudgeJoeBrown (@JudgeJoeBrownTV) March 25, 2023
Judge Joe Brown Seemingly Suggests Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Story Is Politically Motivated
In another set of replies, Joe Brown seemingly suggested that politics motivated Lee’s story. He is currently running as an independent for the Memphis, Tennessee, mayor position. Brown suggested Lee’s husband, Pennslyvania Senator Vincent Hughes, is involved. Sheryl and Vincent have been married since 2005, per PEOPLE.
“Perhaps her Congressman husband has an interest in the matter??? (As things pertain to defeating his party’s crippling grip on the area…,” Brown responded to a tweet asking what’s Sheryl’s motivation to lie.
Perhaps her Congressman husband has an interest in the matter ??? (As things pertain to defeating his party’s crippling grip on the area …)
— JudgeJoeBrown (@JudgeJoeBrownTV) March 25, 2023
When another Twitter user pointed out that Sen. Hughes’ politics are tied to Pennslyvania and Brown’s to Memphis, the judge pointed the finger at the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
DNC doesn’t want to lose control of Memphis
— JudgeJoeBrown (@JudgeJoeBrownTV) March 26, 2023
Brown also retweeted several messages relating to his politically-motivated claims. Other retweets included insults directed at Sheryl and her sexual assault testimony. For example, in one retweet, user @BlackBeautyFBA called Lee “a lying a** witch.”
KEEP SCROLLING TO SEE TWEETS JUDGE JOE BROWN SHARED
I seen Sheryl Ralph out here doing the Democrats bidding
— doublec00n (@doublec00n) March 24, 2023
She's a lying ass witch! 😡
— BlackBeauty🇺🇸 (@BlackBeautyFBA) March 24, 2023
🎯 Right! This definitely came from left field and seems so random. It makes you ask: Why now? And, why is she being so messy and vague? And if a room full of execs saw this alleged assault then why would would you continue to work for them?
— Faye Bishop (@MsFayeBishop) March 25, 2023
How convenient that a me too pops up out of nowhere when you're running for office.
— MthrTruckingBiker (@sixftstryder) March 24, 2023
Judge, you know when you’re revealing truths and trying to do good for the benefit of the people the devils will come out of the woodwork w lies, slander and defamation. That’s when you know they’re feeling threatened. Keep it up! 🙌🏻👏🏻
— Christi (@Christilee0413) March 25, 2023
Then she needs to tell who assault her or shut up.
— Nikki Shantel (@NikkiShantel1) March 25, 2023
Exactly….he's running for office & they trying to slander him….the DEMS really need to cut it out…we all know the playbook
— KimConic7136/Black All Day Everyday🇺🇸 (@KimconicB1) March 25, 2023
Yup! As soon as he runs for office, they find the mammy they want to use, reward her, and boom! Now he sexually harassed her! Now we clearly see the reason for the emmy and the superbowl fiasco!
— Kim M. Stephens (@KimBlaqrayn2012) March 25, 2023
We knew they would come for our brother he bucked against white authority they thought because he was a judge he was a sellout https://t.co/mBFoKkIvGV
— Against All Odds (@AgainstDaOddsTV) March 26, 2023
Joe Brown Doubles Down On Denial As Video Of Misogynistic Comments Resurface
On Saturday (March 25), Brown doubled down on his denial of any involvement with Sheryl’s claims.
“There’re false rumors being spread that I mistreated a certain lady ≈ 25 yrs ago. I categorically deny both those rumors & any acquaintance with the lady in question,” he tweeted.
There’re false rumors being spread that I mistreated a certain lady ≈ 25 yrs ago
I categorically deny both those rumors & any acquaintance with the lady in question
— JudgeJoeBrown (@JudgeJoeBrownTV) March 25, 2023
Brown also pointed the finger at blogs and online users in his retweets–sharing content that indicates he spoke out because both have name-dropped him.
Is it not Bogus that all of these blogs&comments naming Judge Joe?He has a family&kids also!I just named a person who fit the profile just like 90% of these comments did with Judge Joe! BUT I BASED IT OFF of SHERYL’S DESCRIPTION of the time frame of the event! Blame Sheryl!
— PrettyBrownGode$$ (@Pr3ttyBrownGawd) March 27, 2023
Did you not see that 90% of the comments name him, blogs are placing his picture out there along side of Sheryl’s story.. He has a right to speak up for himself!
— PrettyBrownGode$$ (@Pr3ttyBrownGawd) March 27, 2023
Meanwhile, another video highlighting Joe’s concerning comments about women in leadership is making its social media rounds. In the short clip from October 2022, Judge Joe was participating in a mayoral candidate forum. The event moderator asked the male candidates why they were running instead of supporting a woman as the next mayor. Brown’s misogynistic answer later landed him in hot water online.
“Sorry, but some things men do real well and one of the main problems is…I don’t want to get crude about it, but some places you need to go to exercise leadership, some of the good ladies in here would get drug into an abandoned apartment and raped,” Brown said. “That’s one of the problems.”
Here’s the video…just wanna reiterate this is Judge Joe Brown’s response to me asking the mayoral candidates, why they are running for Mayor instead of supporting a Black Woman which is the majority makeup of the City of Memphis. pic.twitter.com/uvo2XauhrE
— Amber Sherman (@AmberSherman_) October 28, 2022
At this time, Sheryl Lee Ralph and her team have not responded to Judge Joe Brown’s denials.