A lawsuit filed this month alleges that New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara Rivera, failed to protect a young girl from sexual abuse during a summer camp trip sponsored by their church. The lawsuit claims that the couple, after being informed of concerns about the girl's safety, did not take appropriate action and instead intimidated the victim into remaining silent about her negative experiences.
The Riveras' attorney has denied the allegations, stating that the couple only learned of the accusations in 2022 and are being targeted by false claims. The lawsuit does not name the accuser but states that she was born in 2007 and was allegedly sexually abused by an older female camper during a church camp in Florida in 2018.
Despite the girl's mother expressing concerns to Clara Rivera, the lawsuit alleges that the Riveras chose to remain silent to avoid a scandal. The girl later experienced further abuse at the Riveras' home in New York and by a male youth leader at the Refuge of Hope church in 2021.
While police reports were filed regarding the abuse in 2018 and 2021, it is unclear if criminal charges were brought in any of the cases. The lawsuit was filed against the Refuge of Hope church, not the Riveras themselves. Prosecutors in New York and Florida have not commented on whether they investigated the allegations.
Ignite Life Center, where the initial abuse allegedly occurred, settled lawsuits brought by three individuals who claimed they were abused by a volunteer at the church. Two others affiliated with the church have been charged with lewd and lascivious battery against minors.
