Mariano Rivera and his wife are accused in a lawsuit of failing to protect a girl from sexual abuse at church events. The lawsuit alleges they intimidated the victim into silence to prevent scandal. The Riveras deny the claims, stating they only learned of the allegations years later.
New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, are embroiled in a lawsuit accusing them of failing to protect a young girl from sexual abuse at church events. The lawsuit alleges that the Riveras, who are pastors at the Refuge of Hope Church, isolated and intimidated the victim into silence to avoid scandal. The couple has denied the allegations, stating they only became aware of the claims years later. The lawsuit highlights serious accusations against the church and its affiliates, raising questions about the handling of abuse allegations within religious organizations.
The lawsuit claims that Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, failed to take action after being informed of the alleged sexual abuse of a young girl at events associated with the Refuge of Hope Church. According to the lawsuit, the girl, identified as "Jane Doe," was sexually abused by an older female camper during a summer camp trip in 2018, sponsored by their church. The lawsuit states that Clara Rivera, who is a pastor at the church, was informed of the abuse by the girl's mother but allegedly covered it up to prevent scandal. "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," the lawsuit claims [1] [2].
The lawsuit alleges that the abuse continued at various church events, including a barbecue at the Riveras' home, where the girl was left unsupervised with her abuser. The complaint also states that in 2021, the girl was sexually assaulted by a male youth leader at the church. The lawsuit, filed by the girl and her mother, seeks damages for negligent supervision and premises liability. It accuses the Riveras of handling the allegations internally to avoid public scrutiny and potential financial losses. The Riveras' attorney, Joseph A. Ruta, has called the allegations "completely false," asserting that the couple only learned of the accusations in 2022 when approached for a financial settlement [3] [4].
The lawsuit against the Refuge of Hope Church, where the Riveras are pastors, adds to a series of legal challenges faced by Assemblies of God affiliates. The Ignite Life Center, a partner church in Gainesville, Florida, where the initial abuse allegedly occurred, has faced similar lawsuits. Recently, three lawsuits were settled involving abuse allegations against the church. The lawsuit against the Riveras highlights the broader issue of how religious organizations handle abuse allegations and the potential for internal cover-ups to protect reputations. The case raises questions about accountability and the responsibility of church leaders in safeguarding children [5] [6].
The allegations against Mariano Rivera and his wife have brought significant attention to the Refuge of Hope Church and its handling of abuse claims. While the Riveras deny any wrongdoing, the lawsuit underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in religious institutions. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case could have broader implications for how similar allegations are addressed within church communities. The outcome may also influence public perception of the Riveras, who have been known for their charitable work and commitment to helping underprivileged children.
"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." - Joseph A. Ruta
"They failed to mitigate the risks, and upon learning that she had been a victim, took no steps to protect her or get criminal justice." - Adam Horowitz
"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." - Lawsuit Complaint