Grammy-winning gospel singer and pastor, Donnie McClurkin, has strongly denied and rejected claims of sexual allegations made against him in a lawsuit where his former assistant alleged that the singer abused him over several years while serving as his spiritual mentor and employer.

The plaintiff, Giuseppe Corletto, alleged that McClurkin admitted to the abuse, which allegedly began after he sought spiritual guidance from McClurkin in 2003 while struggling to reconcile his sexuality with his Christian faith, in an email in which he described himself as a “dirty ‘old man.”

Reacting to the lawsuit, filed on Friday in Manhattan state Supreme Court in the United States, the 66-year-old gospel music icon denied the allegations through his attorney, describing Corletto’s claims as “categorically false.”

“With all humility, faith, and deep respect for Christ and this global gospel music and ministry community which has shaped my life, my calling, and my character, I address this letter! Many of you are aware of the profane allegations of sexual assault/rape and coercion that have been recently lodged against me. I want to state clearly and unequivocally that these allegations are contrived and untrue,” the statement read.

While admitting that true victims of abuse must be heard and protected, his lawyer, in a statement posted by the gospel icon on his official Instagram handle, said his former assistant has not told the truth.