Dentons Secures Dismissal of Lawsuit Against The Peninsular Florida District Council of the Assemblies of God and Pastor Wayne Blackburn

The international law firm Dentons announced today the complete dismissal of a lawsuit filed earlier this year against The Peninsular Florida District Council of the Assemblies of God ("the District Council") and Pastor Wayne Blackburn. The case, filed on March 7, 2025, in the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court for Polk County, Florida, alleged that the District Council was liable for abuse allegedly committed by a volunteer more than 42 years ago at a church affiliated with the District Council. The complaint further alleged that Pastor Blackburn knew of the alleged abuse, instructed the Plaintiff not to tell others, and allowed the Plaintiff to remain alone with the alleged abuser.

The District Council and Pastor Blackburn were represented by Dentons partners Trinity S. Jordan and Heidi Panepinto. Immediately after being served, Dentons filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, along with a motion for attorneys' fees and sanctions under Section 57.105 of the Florida Statutes, asserting that the claims were frivolous and unsupported by fact.

The Section 57.105 motion demonstrated that Pastor Blackburn never worked, volunteered, or attended the church where the alleged abuse occurred and that, during the period in question, he was employed by the District Council. The motion was further supported by seven signed declarations from witnesses corroborating the facts set forth in the defense's filings.

In July 2025, the Court dismissed all claims against the District Council. Subsequently, on October 13, 2025, the Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed with prejudice all remaining claims against Pastor Blackburn. No financial payment was made in exchange for the dismissal.

"This was a case that never should have been filed," said Trinity Jordan, partner at Dentons. "The Court understood that in dismissing the District, and it is good to see that Pastor Wayne too has finally been dismissed from this lawsuit."

Heidi Panepinto, co-counsel for Pastor Blackburn, added, "We are happy that Pastor Wayne is able to move on in life and not worry about these allegations."

The case is now closed in its entirety.

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