New Rochelle, New York – A lawsuit filed recently alleges that former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, are being accused of covering up the sexual abuse of a 10-year-old girl. The lawsuit claims that the couple pressured the young girl to remain silent about the abuse she endured while being a member of their church in New Rochelle, New York.
The Riveras, who were instrumental in founding the church Refuge of Hope, are accused of isolating and intimidating the girl to prevent her from speaking out about the abuse. The lawsuit, filed by the now 17-year-old girl and her mother, seeks unspecified damages for negligent supervision and premises liability. The Riveras are named for their alleged roles in the cover-up but are not defendants in the lawsuit.
According to court documents, the girl was sent to a summer internship at Ignite Life Center in Gainesville, Florida, by Clara Rivera, where the abuse allegedly took place. Despite the girl’s mother reporting the abuse to Clara Rivera, no action was taken to address the situation. The lawsuit claims that the Riveras prioritized protecting their church’s reputation over the well-being of the young girl.
The abuse is said to have continued even after the girl returned from the internship, with allegations of abuse at a barbecue held at the Riveras’ home. The lawsuit also implicates a youth leader from Refuge of Hope in the abuse of the girl in 2021, with graphic electronic communications cited as evidence.
The Riveras’ attorney has vehemently denied the allegations, stating that they were not made aware of the incidents until years later. The attorney claims that the allegations are false and lack credibility. This case comes in the wake of similar lawsuits within the Assemblies of God religion, shedding light on allegations of child sexual abuse within the church.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the community awaits further developments in the case and hopes for justice for the young girl who endured the alleged abuse. The lawsuit serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals and holding perpetrators of abuse accountable for their actions.