Mariano Rivera and his wife, Ciara, are accused of concealing child sexual abuse that allegedly occurred at their home and church, according to a lawsuit filed in New York.
The New York Yankees legend is the pastor of New Rochelle-based Refuge of Hope Church. about 15 miles From Yankee Stadium.
In the lawsuit, Jane Doe alleges that she was sexually abused by an older girl identified as MG during her 2018 summer internship. According to the complaint, MG was a minor at the time of the alleged abuse. (Related: Ben Shelton slams Australian Open Media for ’embarrassing and disrespectful’ comments against Americans)
The internship took place at Ignite Life Center in Gainesville, Florida, which is affiliated with Rivera’s Refuge of Hope Church.
According to the complaint, the victim’s mother informed Rivera’s wife of the sexual abuse, and Ciara promised to open an investigation into the matter. But they allegedly covered up the situation, according to the lawsuit.
Yankees icon Mariano Rivera, wife Clara at center of explosive sexual assault lawsuit https://t.co/b77W8obF5Y pic.twitter.com/tvIjlkrq7h
— New York Post (@nypost) January 22, 2025
“Rather than take sufficient action to end the sexual abuse of Jane Doe, the Riveras each individually isolated Jane Doe and threatened her to remain silent about the abuse by M.G. “This was to avoid any problems with Of Hope and Ignite Life’s summer internships,” the newspaper said. Lawsuit.
The victim also alleges that MG sexually assaulted her at the Riveras’ residence during a barbecue that summer.
