Ben Zobrist, former Chicago Cubs utility player and 2016 World Series MVP, filed a $6 million lawsuit in May against his former minister Byron Yawn.

In the lawsuit, Zobrist accuses Yawn of having an affair with his wife, Julianna Zobrist, while serving as their marriage counselor, according to court documents. Yawn is also accused of defrauding Zobrist’s charity foundation where he worked.

Julianna Zobrist responds to ‘ugly’ divorce allegations. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/TNS)

Credit: TNS

icon to expand image

Credit: TNS

The Zobrists filed for divorce in May 2019 in separate courts in Illinois and Tennessee.

Julianna, a Christian pop singer and author, addressed the accusations publicly for the first time on Tuesday with an Instagram post.

“It’s tempting to retaliate or seek revenge when someone decides to hurt, slander, or lie about you. Especially in public. It’s difficult to remember that those who harm us are acting out of their own pain. Wounded people need healing, and that’s what I pray finds every person who is so lost in their pain that they resort to inflicting harm on others,” she wrote.

In the post, Julianna also thanked her supporters for their kindness and encouraging words.

“A time will come when I will address my journey, independently of my children. But this is not that time. For now, I appreciate your ongoing kindness and respect for our privacy.”

The divorce is scheduled for a seven-day bench trial in Franklin, Tennessee, beginning Aug. 9, according to the Chicago Tribune.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Chairman Jason Shaw presides over a meeting of the Georgia Public Service Commission in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images