New York Yankees Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, are denying accusations from a young girl who claims they failed to act after she was sexually abused at a program affiliated with their church, and again at their home. The specific allegations against the Riveras were outlined in a lawsuit filed earlier this month in Westchester County on behalf of the alleged victim and her mother, whose identities were concealed for their privacy.
According to the court documents, the girl was an active member of the Refuge of Hope Church in New Rochelle β a house of worship co-founded by the Riveras, where Clara Rivera serves as lead pastor β when the assault occurred in That summer, according to the complaint, Clara Rivera persuaded a congregant to allow her daughter, who was 10 or 11 years old at the time, to attend an internship program hosted by the Ignite Life Center , a sister church in Gainesville, Fla.
Refuge of Hope offered to pay for the girl to participate in the summer camp, so she accepted the invitation and then traveled to the Sunshine state, spending her time there in a dorm with other children but without parental supervision.
In a police report filed in , the girl said there were 15 instances of inappropriate touching over a two-week period, both in her bunk and a shower.
While the girl did not initially report the abuse, her mother grew concerned while speaking to her daughter on the phone. She then outlined her concerns to Clara Rivera, who agreed to investigate, according to the complaint.
