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INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: Industry Review Dismantles False Social Media Claims Against Playwright Chad Lawson Cooper

By Dre Wilson

An ongoing independent investigation has uncovered new details regarding the online dispute between Times Square-based movie producer, playwright, actor, and producer Chad Lawson Cooper and local Phoenix pastor Sherman Fort. Following a review of text logs, audio recordings, and local corroboration, the allegations published by Fort and his wife on social media have been heavily compromised by verified evidence and eyewitness accounts.

Cooper is a veteran celebrity playwright, producer, and actor whose work has earned recognition and endorsements from respected church leaders across the country, including Bishop Paul S. Morton; Bishop Joel Peebles, National Presiding Bishop of Global United Fellowship Ministries and General Board Member of the Church of God in Christ; Bishop Prince E. W. Bryant; and Bishop John Bryant, Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church worldwide.

Unprofessional Conduct and Discomfort During Church Visit

According to directly provided statements, Cooper expressed deep discomfort regarding his second face-to-face interaction with Fort during an 8:00 AM Sunday service visit. Cooper, who had never personally met Fort prior to these promotional stops, was invited into what appeared to be a boardroom serving as the pastor’s office.

Upon entering, Cooper stated that Fort began changing clothes down to his underwear directly in front of him. Cooper described the encounter as highly bizarre and unprofessional, noting that it made him feel intensely uneasy given the lack of prior acquaintance and basic ministerial protocol.

Verified Sold-Out Shows and Local Clergy Support

Contradicting Fort’s public claims that Cooper failed to produce any events in Phoenix and essentially “scammed” attendees, the investigation confirmed that Cooper successfully executed two sold-out performances on December 7 at the Salvation Army Kroc Center.

Prominent local faith leaders have stepped forward to verify the legitimacy and quality of the productions:

● Pastor Terry Mackey of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church (https://www.pilgrimrestphx.org/) publicly reviewed the event, expressing how much the community enjoyed the content.

● Video evidence shows that Cooper explicitly acknowledged and honored Sherman Fort from the stage during the live productions, undermining claims that Cooper was operating deceptively.

● Ticket honorability was fully maintained, as the small handful of members from Fort’s congregation who purchased tickets for the altered December 14 date were accommodated at the December 7 performances.

Cooper Declines Social Media War, Chooses Higher Road

When questioned as to why he has not released a public video countering the viral social media posts made by Fort and his wife, Cooper provided a strategic and measured explanation. He noted that because his national platform and audience are significantly larger than Fort’s local reach, publishing a direct video response would inadvertently grant a larger spotlight to what he described as false claims.

“You can’t stop people from lying if they want to lie,” Cooper stated, choosing instead to rely on physical evidence, digital records, and the integrity of his 20-year career.

Despite the targeted smear campaign, Cooper maintained professional protocol and stated that he ultimately wishes Fort well in his endeavors, hoping that Fort’s ministry can eventually resolve its internal issues and grow into a larger congregation.