Madonna: Sean Penn NEVER Hit Me ... Testifies in Lee Daniels Case

Madonna is jumping to her ex-husband Sean Penn's defense -- declaring under oath that Lee Daniels got it wrong when he insinuated Sean was a woman beater.

Penn's attorneys filed a declaration from Madonna in which she states, "Sean has never struck me, tied me up, or physically assaulted me." There had been reports in 1987 that he hit her with a baseball bat, and then in 1989 there was a story that he'd been arrested for domestic assault against her.

Madonna says all those reports "completely false." She calls her ex a "caring, compassionate individual" who she's known for more than 30 years.

Penn is suing "Empire" co-creator Lee Daniels for defamation. While discussing Terrence Howard's domestic violence case, Daniels said Howard did nothing different from Penn.

Penn is suing for $10 million.