Ex-Yankee Mariano Rivera, wife accused of sexual abuse cover-up of 11-year-old
NEW YORK - Former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, are being accused of allegedly covering up the sexual abuse of a minor according to a New York lawsuit.
The suit lists two separate incidents where the minor "Jane Doe" says she was sexually assaulted by teen girl in 2018, and a man two years later.
The New York Yankees legend and his wife, Clara, are pastors at Refuge of Hope Church in New Rochelle, where the alleged incidents occurred.
The Riveras are not accused of abuse themselves.
What is Mariano Rivera being accused of?
What we know:
BRONX, NEW YORK - MARCH 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Baseball Hall of Famer and former New York Yankee Mariano Rivera throws the ceremonial first pitch before a game against the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on March 30, 2023 in
The lawsuit filed by a "Jane Doe" claims she was sexually abused by an older girl, known as "MG," during a summer internship at their church in 2018.
The 22-page lawsuit says that the victim's mother informed Clara of the abuse and that Clara promised to investigate the matter. But they allegedly covered it up.
Refuge of Hope Church
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 17: 2019 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and former New York Yankee Mariano Rivera speaks to the crowd as he stands with his wife Clara next to his Hall of Fame plaque during a ceremony in his honor before a game b
"Rather than take sufficient action to end the sexual abuse of Jane Doe, the Riveras each separately isolated and intimidated Jane Doe to remain silent about her abuse by MG to avoid causing trouble for Refuge of Hope and the Ignite Life Summer Internship," the suit reads.
At the time of the incident, the victim was an 11-year-old member of the church, which is a congregation affiliated with the "Assemblies of God" denomination.
The lawsuit filed against the church also claims that the Riveras allegedly encouraged the young girl to keep quiet.
Lawsuit alleges Riveras 'isolated and intimidated,' ‘to avoid potential scandal’
The backstory:
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Mariano Rivera attends New York Yankees Old Timer's Day prior to a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on September 9, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Court documents report the church paid for the young girl to attend a summer internship in Florida and alleges that she stayed in a dorm with other children without parental supervision.
The lawsuit states "Jane Doe" was repeatedly sexually assaulted by an older female camper in the dorm and in the shower.
The civil complaint states that the girl called her mother to report the incident, and the mother then raised concerns with Clara Rivera, who assured the family she would investigate.
Documents report that while the Riveras traveled to the camp, and received more information about the abuse, they did not report the allegation of abuse.
The lawsuit alleges they "isolated and intimidated" the girl to remain silent about her experiences, "to avoid potential scandal."
Court paperwork also states the girl was sexually assaulted again, by the same person, later that summer at a barbecue at the Rivera's home in Rye, New York.
'Jane Doe' claims she was sexually assaulted by male church employee
Former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera (C) smiles with family and friends after being presented with the Medal of Freedom by US President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House on September 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by MAND
In 2021, "Jane Doe" says she was then sexually assaulted repeatedly by a male church employee, who was a youth leader.
The complaint says he forced her to "engage in graphic electronic communications of a sexual nature" until he was caught by the girl's mother, and allegedly admitted to his actions.
The lawsuit states that the adults mentioned in the complaint, and the church, failed to protect "Jane Doe" from harm and did not have adequate policies or procedures in place.
Documents say the girl had lasting physical, psychological and emotional injuries from the alleged assualt.
"Jane Doe" and her mother are seeking compensation and punitive damages.
What they're saying:
A statement from the attorney for Mariano and Clara Rivera reads:
"Mariano and Clara Rivera do not tolerate child abuse of any kind and allegations that they knew about or failed to act on reports of child abuse are completely false. The very first time they heard about these allegations was nearly four years after the alleged incident, when, in 2022, a New York attorney sent a letter requesting a financial settlement. This was followed by a second letter in 2023, from a different Florida law firm, again requesting a financial settlement. The lawsuit, which seeks financial damages for the Riveras’ alleged failure to act on alleged incidents that were never reported to them, is full of inaccurate and misleading statements which we have no doubt will not hold up in a court of law. The Riveras'are known throughout New York for their charitable work and especially for their commitment to serving underprivileged children. It’s unfortunate they are being targeted by false allegations."
This is not the first time an Assemblies of God affiliate has been under the spotlight for these types of allegations.
Last month, three young victims settled lawsuits against Florida affiliates of Assemblies of God, after alleging similar sexual assaults.
Last week, a former worker at the same camp "Jane Doe" and the other victims went to, entered into a plea deal, after he faced charges in connection for sexual misconduct against minors.