New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara have been accused of covering up child sexual abuse that occurred both at their home and at a summer camp linked to their church.
The explosive allegations were laid out in a lawsuit filed last week in State Supreme Court in Westchester County.
“Our lawsuit alleges that Mariano and Clara Rivera had a duty to protect our client and missed the opportunity to save her from the harms of sexual abuse,” said Adam Horowitz, one of the attorneys representing the victim. he told the New York Post.
Rivera is the pastor of Refuge of Hope Church in New Rochelle, which is about 15 miles from Yankee Stadium.
tClara convinced the plaintiff, identified only as 'Jane Doe,' to go to Gainesville, Florida, to a summer internship which was being organized by the Ignite Life Center, affiliated with Refuge of Hope.
While there, Doe was allegedly abused by an older camper, who was a minor at the time.
Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara have been accused of covering up child sexual abuse
Rivera, 55, pitched for the Yankees from 1995 to 2013 and won five World Series titles.
The New York Yankees legend is the pastor of Refuge of Hope Church in New Rochelle.
Doe was allegedly repeatedly abused in the camp's dormitory and showers, and the older girl “fondled and penetrated” her breasts, buttocks and genitals.
When Doe's mother was informed about the alleged abuse, she contacted Clara to tell her she was “concerned” for her daughter's safety.
Clara allegedly “assured” the mother that she would investigate when she and Mariano, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, attended the camp.
However, when they arrived, it is alleged that both Mariano and Clara “separately isolated” Doe and “bullied her into remaining silent” to “avoid causing trouble” to the church and summer camp.
When the camp and internship concluded, Doe returned to New York and continued attending Refuge of Hope services.
However, a separate alleged incident of abuse by the same older girl took place in August 2018 at a barbecue hosted by the Riveras at their then-$4 million home in Rye, New York. Parents were not invited.
The older girl was invited and 'once again sexually abused' Doe. It is alleged that she “engaged in acts that would constitute a sexual offense under section 130 of the New York Penal Law,” according to the filing.
Years later, in 2021, Doe was allegedly sexually abused by the adult son of an associate pastor, who worked as a youth leader for Shelter of Hope.
The Riveras “falsely promoted their activities and facilities as safe, moral, and free from risk of harm when they knew or should have known otherwise,” the lawsuit states.
The girl was allegedly abused at a barbecue hosted by the Riveras at their New York home.
Rivera received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump at the White House
Rivera, 55, pitched for the Yankees from 1995 to 2013 and won five World Series titles in the Bronx. He is considered one of the greatest closers of all time and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.
He has been a strong supporter of Donald Trump since the reality TV star first ran as the Republican candidate in 2016.
In addition to serving on Trump's Sports, Fitness and Nutrition board, Rivera also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in appreciation for his dominance on the mound and his inspiring journey from Panama to the Major Leagues.
Rivera ranks first in MLB history with 652 saves and remains the only player unanimously elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA).
DailyMail.com has contacted the Riveras, the Yankees and the Refuge of Hope Church for comment.