Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty ImagesThere are some serious allegations being thrown at Nicholas Sparks.
The author, who is famous for making hopeless romantics weep with his heart-wrenching stories, is being targeted as a homophobic, anti-Semitic racist in a new lawsuit filed by the Jewish former headmaster of his Epiphany School for Global Studies, founded by Sparks in 2006.
Saul Hillel Benjamin is reportedly suing for discrimination, alleging the bestselling author's "despicable and outrageous views" led him on a campaign to "humiliate, degrade and defame" the teacher.
The 47-page complaint is filled with a range of accusations against Sparks, including that he endorsed a group of students who attempted to enact a "homo-caust" against a group of gay students, asking Benjamin to "engage only in private and less visible contact with African Americans," and that Sparks told people Benjamin had Alzheimers.
However, Sparks' entertainment attorney, Scott Schwimer, slams the allegations, telling E! News, "As a gay, Jewish man who has represented Nick for almost 20 years I find these allegations completely ludicrous and offensive."
Meanwhile, Theresa Sprain, his counsel in this matter, tells us, "We deny these allegations as presented in the complaint. We will vigorously defend this matter and look forward to pursuing any available remedies."
Benjamin's lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, tells TMZ, who first broke the story, "Apparently, despite the efforts our society has made, Mr. Sparks wants to travel back in time and vilify those who promote diversity and tolerance of all people regardless of their sexual orientation and race."
According to the website, Epiphany school is independent from official religious affiliations, but says its values and guiding principles are rooted in Judeo-Christian traditions.
Benjamin is asking to be awarded monetary damage for things including the "mental anguish and emotional distress" he claims to have suffered because of Sparks' alleged actions.