Beloved Yankees legend accused of covering up minor’s sexual abuse

New York Yankees Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, have been named in a lawsuit that alleges they covered up the sexual abuse of a minor — at a summer camp and their home.

In a lawsuit filed on Jan. 16 in the Supreme Court of Westchester County and obtained by the Gainesville Public Information Services (GnvInfo) and the Independent, the Riveras have been accused of ”being negligent in their supervision and allegedly failing to act upon learning that a young girl from their church was being sexually abused.” They’ve also been sued for “premises liability” at their church and former home, according to GnvInfo.

Rivera, who pitched for the Yankees from 1995-2013 and recorded 652 saves while a fan favorite, is a pastor at Refuge of Hope Church in New Rochelle, New York, according to the Independent. Clara oversees the day-to-day operations, and according to both outlets, citing the complaint, she persuaded the young girl’s mom to send her daughter to the summer camp that was tied to the Riveras’ church.

Via the Independent:

According to the filing in the civil case, the plaintiff – known as “Jane Doe” – claims she was sexually abused by an older minor girl – anonymised as “MG” during a summer internship in 2018 at the Ignite Life Center in Gainesville, Florida, which was supported by Rivera’s church.

The abuse allegedly continued at a barbeque hosted at the couple’s former Brook View property in Rye, New York, in August 2018 before it was sold in June 2022 according to the complaint.

The Riveras, Life Center and Ignite Life Center have not responded to the Independent’s request for comment.

According to the lawsuit, after the alleged victim’s mother became concerned for her daughter’s well-being after one phone call, she relayed her concerns to Clara Rivera, who promised to investigate the matter. The Riveras traveled to Florida for the summer camp, where they “learned or should have learned” information about the alleged sexual abuse, the lawsuit states.

“Rather than take sufficient action to end the sexual abuse of Jane Doe (the victim), the Riveras each separately isolated and intimidated Jane Doe to remain silent about her abuse by MG (the suspect) to avoid causing trouble for Refuge of Hope and the Ignite Life Summer Internship.”

The Riveras lied to the minor’s mother, according to Gainesville Public Information Services, citing the lawsuit.

The girl returned to Refuge of Hope after the internship, the Independent wrote, before the alleged abuse continued at Riveras’ former home during a barbecue that included the church’s children but no parents, according to Gainesville Public Information Services. The Riveras left the minor with “MG” during the event, according to the lawsuit.

Via Gainesville Public Information Services:

“Upon information and belief, [the] defendants’ failure to take corrective action in response to the 2018 allegations at the Ignite Summer Internship was consistent with an established and ongoing modus operandi by [the] defendants’ to handle allegations of sexual abuse internally so to avoid scrutiny, public scandal, and potential financial losses from allegations of child sexual abuse becoming public information.”

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Related Posts

🚨 BOMBSHELL: STEVE COHEN’S $3.4 BILLION WIN FROM POINT72 — The Mets owner cashes in big time with a staggering $3.4 billion payday from Point72. Could this windfall change the game for both his investments and the future of the Mets? Fans and investors are eager to see how Cohen will use this massive fortune..ll 👇👇👇

🚨 STEVE COHEN’S $3.4 BILLION PAYDAY: A HEDGE FUND KING’S COMEBACK AND THE NEW YORK METS’ CONTINUING STRUGGLES 👇 Steve Cohen, the billionaire owner of the New…

🔥REPORT CHICAGO SHIFT EMERGES: The Chicago Cubs could be eyeing Miguel Amaya as a potential first baseman, shifting his position to boost roster flexibility. With uncertainty surrounding the Cubs’ first-base depth, insiders suggest Amaya’s bat and defensive versatility could provide a surprising solution. Fans are now buzzing as this potential move could reshape the Cubs’ infield mix and bring new energy to the lineup 👇👇👇

🚨 CHICAGO CUBS’ FIRST BASE POSITION IN LIMBO: Injuries Open the Door for Miguel Amaya to Step In for a Key Role This Season👇 As Spring Training…

Mets vs. Cardinals: Spring Training Showdown at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium — Live on SNY, Bally Sports & MLB.TV..ll 👇👇👇

Mets vs. Cardinals: Grapefruit League Showdown at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium The New York Mets face off against the St. Louis Cardinals on February 27, 2026, at…

GAME CHANGER: Toronto Blue Jаyѕ vѕ. Boѕton Red Sox аt TD Bаllраrk – You Won’t Belіeve the New Kіckoff Tіme!

GаMe CHаNGeR: Toronto Blue Jаyѕ vѕ. Boѕton Red ѕox аt TD Bаllраrk – You Won’t Belіeve the New Kіckoff Tіme! BReаKіNG NeWѕ:The Toronto Blue Jаyѕ аnd Boѕton…

🚨 CONGRATULATIONS — MOOKIE BETTS OFFICIALLY BECOMES THE NEW CAPTAIN OF THE Los Angeles Dodgers FOR THE 2026 SEASON, marking a historic moment for both the team and the city. As the first captain in Dodgers history, Betts’ leadership and commitment to excellence will guide the team toward its next championship pursuit. 👇👇

Los Angeles was shaken. The locker room fell silent for a few seconds before erupting in prolonged applause. And then the announcement was confirmed: Mookie Betts officially…

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: DAVE ROBERTS BREAKS DOWN TYLER GLASNOW’S DOMINANCE IN SPRING OUTING — Roberts gets candid on Glasnow’s remarkable performance against the White Sox, calling it nothing short of spectacular. Is this the breakout season we’ve been waiting for, or just a spring fluke? The anticipation is building..ll 👇👇👇

🚨 TYLER GLASNOW’S IMPRESSIVE SPRING TRAINING PERFORMANCE HAS DODGERS’ MANAGER AND FRONT OFFICE EXCITED FOR 2026 SEASON 👇 Tyler Glasnow’s journey with the Los Angeles Dodgers has…