Baseball icon Mariano Rivera and wife Clara accused of covering up child sexual abuse at their home and church
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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 a summer camp linked to their church. The bombshell allegations were laid out in a lawsuit filed last week in State Supreme Court in Westchester County.
![[Rivera, 55, pitched for the Yankees from 1995 to 2013 and won five World Series titles]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/01/94416351-14315483-image-a-32_1737594652093.jpg)
'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,' Adam Horowitz, one of the lawyers representing the victim, told the New York Post. Rivera is the pastor of Refuge of Hope Church in New Rochelle, which is around 15 miles from Yankee Stadium.
![[The New York Yankees legend is the pastor of Refuge of Hope Church in New Rochelle]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/01/94416687-14315483-image-a-40_1737595592230.jpg)
The plaintiff, identified only as 'Jane Doe', was convinced by Clara to go to Gainesville, Florida for a summer internship that the Ignite Life Center, which was affiliated with Refuge of Hope, was hosting. While there Doe was allegedly abused by an older female camper, who was a minor at the time.
![[It's alleged the girl was abused at a barbecue hosted by the Riveras at their New York home]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/01/94416367-14315483-image-a-39_1737594745080.jpg)
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.
![[Rivera received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump at the White House]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/01/94416371-14315483-image-a-36_1737594719764.jpg)
It's alleged Doe was repeatedly abused in the camp's dormitory and showers, with the older girl 'fondling and penetrating' 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.
