Madonna defends ex-husband Sean Penn in defamation lawsuit

Los Angeles: Singer Madonna tried to defend her former husband and actor Sean Penn over "Empire" co-creator Lee Daniels' controversial comments in which he compared Penn to Terrence Howard, who admitted to hitting women.

In an amended complaint of Penn's defamation lawsuit submitted on Thursday, the “Papa don't preach” crooner said that the “Sweet and Lowdown” actor had never been physically abusive to her.

In the amended complaint obtained by hollywoodreporter.com, the singer stated: "I am aware of the allegations that have surfaced over the years accusing Sean of incidents of physical assault and abuse against me." 

“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, reckless, and false," she added in the declaration.

The singer also said that the allegations regarding Penn's arrest for "domestic assault" against her were "false". 

"I am also aware of allegations concerning an incident that occurred in December 1989, which purportedly resulted in Sean's arrest for domestic assault and battery against me. I know those allegations to be false," she said. 

The "Material girl" hitmaker said that Penn never assaulted her physically. 

"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," she added. 

As previously reported, Daniels cited a First Amendment defense in an effort to get the $10 million lawsuit dismissed. 

Nevertheless, Penn's lawyer Mathew Rosengart stated in the amended complaint: "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."