An attorney for MLB legend Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara has fired back at allegations they covered up sexual abuse at their church.
According to the Associated Press, while the couple aren’t defendants in a Jane Doe lawsuit filed in New York last week, they’re accused of pressuring an alleged victim who was reportedly no older than 11. The Jane Doe attended Ignite Life Center’s summer camp in Florida in 2018, where she says an older participant sexually abused her.
The program had ties to the Refuge of Hope Church in New York, where Clara is senior pastor. The church’s website states it aims to be “a multicultural united body of believers committed to the revitalization of its community through acts of service and a genuine demonstration of God’s love.”
The suit claims after the 2018 incident, the same person abused Jane Doe again at a church event at the Riveras’ home. In 2021, she was allegedly abused by another person, described as a male youth leader.
Adam Horowitz, whose firm represents the alleged victim and family, said the Riveras “missed the opportunity” to protect his client.
“I commend our young client for her bravery and commitment to truth,” Horowitz stated. “We thank her for sounding the alarm on a potentially dangerous environment for kids.”
When Complex reached out Thursday, Horowitz’s office repeated that statement and shared police reports related to the lawsuit claims.
Complex has contacted Ignite Life Center, Refuge of Hope Church, and the Riveras’ lawyer for comment. This story may be updated.
The Riveras’ attorney Joseph A. Ruta told the New York Post the allegations are “completely false.” He said the couple received two settlement requests, one in 2022 and another in 2023.
“The lawsuit, which seeks financial damages for the Riveras’ alleged failure to act on alleged incidents that were never reported to them, is full of inaccurate and misleading statements which we have no doubt will not hold up in a court of law,” Ruta added.
