Madonna denied allegations against ex-husband Sean Penn saying that the actor has never physically assaulted her during their marriage.
According to a report by Entertainment Tonight, Madonna has filed a declaration in court through Sean Penn's legal team stating that, contrary to allegations, her former husband has never physically abused her while they were together as a married couple.
"I am aware of the allegations that have surfaced over the years accusing Sean [Penn] of incidents of physical assault and abuse against me," Madonna's declaration read.
"Specifically, I am aware of the allegations concerning an alleged incident that occurred in June, 1987, whereby (according to tabloid reports), Sean allegedly struck me with 'a baseball bat.' I know the allegations in those and other reports to be completely outrageous, malicious, reckless, and false."
The declaration comes as Sean Penn filed an amended complaint in his $10 million defamation lawsuit against Lee Daniels over his comments against Penn comparing the actor to "Empire" star Terrence Howard who is characterized as an abuser.
"[Terrence] ain't done nothing different than Marlon Brando or Sean Penn, and all of a sudden he's some f-in' demon," the Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lee Daniels told The Hollywood Reporter. "That's a sign of the time, of race, of where we are right now in America."
Earlier this month, Daniels filed to dismiss the complaint arguing that his right to free speech and the First Amendment protects what he said. But Penn's new filing, including Madonna's own sworn statement, addressed this argument.
"Unfortunately for Daniels, his statements-which by direct reference to Howard's misconduct, falsely accuse Penn of committing serious, multiple crimes against women-are not protected by the First Amendment," Penn's amended complaint read, as reported by ET.
"Just as it does not protect a person from 'shouting fire in a crowded theatre,' it also does not protect defamatory conduct."
Sean Penn's amended complaint said that Daniels' statements about the actor are "reckless, false and defamatory" which is supported by Madonna's sworn statement.
"While we certainly had more than one heated argument during our marriage, Sean has never struck me, 'tied me up,' or physically assaulted me, and any report to the contrary is completely outrageous, malicious, reckless, and false," Madonna's statement read.
"I have known Sean Penn for over thirty years," the 57-year-old pop star added. "Over the decades, I have known Sean to be a caring, compassionate individual, as well as an extremely talented actor, creative artist and philanthropist."
Sean Penn and Madonna's brief marriage lasted from 1985-1989.
