Isaiah Washington at The '38th Annual NAACP Image Awards' Nominations Press Conference held at The Peninsula Hotel. Beverly Hills, California - 09.01.07

Washington is facing a public backlash after making comments in the Golden Globes press room last week (15JAN07), denying he made derogatory comments towards co-star TR KNIGHT.

According to TVGuide.com, the actor has hired publicists ALLEN MAYER and KELLY MULLENS, who are crisis management experts.

Mayer has done damage control for clients including R KELLY, TOMMY LEE and comedian PAULA POUNDSTONE.

Washington has issued a public apology and agreed to meet with members of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

Source: WENN