Baseball legend Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara are fighting back against shocking allegations that they helped cover up the sexual abuse of a young girl at their church.
“We absolutely do not tolerate child abuse of any kind,” their lawyer Joseph Ruta said in a statement to USA Today. He called the accusations that they knew about or ignored abuse reports “completely false.”
The lawsuit, filed by a teenage girl known as Jane Doe, tells a disturbing story of abuse that allegedly happened at multiple church-connected events – including one at the Riveras’ home in Rye, New York.
The girl was just 11 years old when the trouble began.
According to court documents, Clara Rivera, who runs Refugio de Esperanza (“Refuge of Hope”) church with her husband, suggested the girl attend a summer internship at their partner church in Florida called Ignite Life Center.
That’s where things allegedly took a dark turn.
The lawsuit claims another camp attendee, identified only as MG, repeatedly sexually assaulted Jane Doe during the internship. The abuse didn’t stop there – MG allegedly attacked her again during a church barbeque at the Riveras’ New York home.
Even more troubling, the lawsuit alleges the Riveras personally traveled to Florida during the internship and learned about the abuse. Instead of helping, they allegedly pressured the girl to keep quiet to protect the church’s reputation.
“They isolated and intimidated Jane Doe to remain silent,” the lawsuit states.
The case has sent shockwaves through the baseball community. Mariano Rivera, now 55, is considered one of the greatest relief pitchers ever. He saved a record 652 games during his career with the Yankees and became the first player unanimously voted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.
While the Riveras aren’t named as individual defendants, their church and property company are being sued. Under New York law, property owners can be held responsible for what happens on their land.
The complaint gives the defendants 20 days to respond and demands a jury trial to determine damages.
Three people have already been arrested in connection with sexual abuse of minors at Ignite Life Center’s camp program.
The Riveras’ lawyer insists the lawsuit is just about money, claiming it’s “full of inaccurate and misleading statements” that won’t hold up in court.
