'Love Is' Co-Creator Salim Akil Responds To Abuse Allegations

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His Lawyer Releases A Statement

Black Lightning showrunner and Love Is co-creator Salim Akil is finally speaking out after being accused of domestic violence, sexual assault and copyright infringement.

His attorney Stephen D. Barnes released a statement to Deadline saying, “These allegations are deeply upsetting – but they are also totally untrue. We will defend Salim to the fullest against the false and offensive claims that a woman with whom he had a past relationship has included in multiple unsubstantiated lawsuits. Salim looks forward to clearing his name and to being able to focus on his work and his family.”

On November 20, Amber Dixon Brenner filed a complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court accusing Akil of repeated ” “non-consensual assault and battery.” Brenner says that she and Akil, who is married to Mara Brock Akil, were lovers for over a decade up until 2017. She described multiple instances of abuse that included slapping, strangling and forced oral sex while they were together. In the suit, she even described an instance where Akil urinated in her mouth.

Brenner also claimed a breach of contract over a script that Akil allegedly re-appropriated. She says Akil used elements of a script she wrote in 2016 about an abusive relationship for the show Love Is, which is co-created by Salim and Mara, and produced by Warner Horizon TV.

Brenner is suing for compensatory damages, emotional distress, attorney fees, and punitive damages. She is also suing the Akils and Oprah‘s OWN network in federal court for copyright infringement.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros TV has started an investigation on Salim and Mara’s CW show Black Lightning.

The CW and OWN have yet to release a statement in regards to the abuse allegations. The defendants in the federal copyright infringement case have until December 28 to formally respond to Brenner’s filing, according to the documents.