Mariano Rivera and his spouse Clara Rivera have been accused of overlaying up youngster intercourse abuse at a Christian summer time camp affiliated with their church and in their very own dwelling.
In a lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Courtroom on Thursday, Jan. 16, and obtained by PEOPLE, the New York Yankees Corridor of Famer, 55, is accused of allegedly ignoring the sexual abuse of a younger lady who was a member of his Refuge of Hope Church in Westchester County, N.Y.
Associated: Pittsburgh Pirates Pitcher Felipe Vázquez Accused of Soliciting a Child for Unlawful Sexual Conduct
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Mariano Rivera and spouse Clara — August 2019
The minor, who was born in 2007, is recognized as Jane Doe within the criticism, Her alleged abuser — an older feminine minor — is known as “MG.”
The incident allegedly passed off on the Ignite Life Heart in Gainesville, Fla. throughout a 2018 summer time internship program that’s affiliated with the Rivera’s church.
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“Moderately than take adequate motion to finish the sexual abuse of Jane Doe, the Riveras every individually remoted and intimidated Jane Doe to stay silent about her abuse by MG to keep away from inflicting hassle for Refuge of Hope and the Ignite Life Summer time Internship,” courtroom paperwork learn.
AP Picture/Mark Lennihan
Mariano Rivera and his spouse Clara
Clara, who serves because the Refuge of Hope’s head pastor, in accordance with its website, can also be named within the criticism. The paperwork allege that “The Ignite Summer time Internship required youngsters to reside at Ignite Life Heart all through this system, with out parental supervision.”
The criticism claims that the baseball professional “paid Jane Doe’s bills” with the intention to “guarantee she may attend the summer time program.”
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MG is accused of allegedly abusing Jane Doe once more at a summer time 2018 BBQ on the Riveras’ Brook View dwelling, per the criticism. The Riveras now not stay at that property.
The criticism additionally alleges that Jane Doe was sexually abused by Ruben Tavarez Jr., the son of the Refuge of Hope affiliate pastor Ruben Tavarez Sr., in August 2021.
The criticism alleges that the Riveras “falsely promoted their actions and premises as being protected, ethical, and in any other case freed from a threat of hurt when it knew or ought to have recognized in any other case.” The plaintiff is searching for a jury trial.
PEOPLE reached out to a rep for Mariano, in addition to Refuge of Hope church for remark, however didn’t instantly obtain a response.
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Pitcher Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees, 2006
Rivera performed 19 seasons because the New York Yankees’ nearer from 1995-2013. He’s a 13-time MLB All-Star and five-time World Collection champion and received the 1999 World Collection MVP Award. In 2019, he acquired the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump. He’s the one participant in baseball historical past to be unanimously voted into the Nationwide Baseball Corridor of Fame.
Per the church website, Refuge of Hope was based by Mariano and Clara of their dwelling in 2009. In some unspecified time in the future, they expanded and took over the North Avenue Presbyterian Church in New Rochelle, N.Y.
In the event you suspect youngster abuse, name the Childhelp Nationwide Little one Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Little one or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is offered 24/7 in additional than 170 languages.
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