Mariano Rivera and wife Clara break silence on child sexual abuse cover-up allegations
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New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara have denied bombshell allegations that they covered up child sexual abuse at their home and church. The 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/2025/01/23/17/94416351-14318487-Rivera_55_pitched_for_the_Yankees_from_1995_to_2013_and_won_five-a-18_1737653932130.jpg)
Now, in a statement from their attorney Joseph A. Ruta, the couple have insisted that they are innocent and the claims are 'completely false'. The statement says: 'Mariano and Clara Rivera do not tolerate child abuse of any kind and allegations that they knew about or failed to act on reports of child abuse are completely false.
![[Rivera received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump at the White House]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/17/94416371-14318487-Rivera_received_the_Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_from_Donald_Tr-a-20_1737653946126.jpg)
'The very first time they heard about these allegations was nearly four years after the alleged incident, when in 2022 a New York attorney sent a letter requesting a financial settlement. This was followed by a second letter in 2023, from a different Florida law firm, again requesting a financial settlement.
![[The New York Yankees legend is the pastor of Refuge of Hope Church in New Rochelle]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/23/17/94416687-14318487-The_New_York_Yankees_legend_is_the_pastor_of_Refuge_of_Hope_Chur-m-22_1737654067717.jpg)
'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.'. 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 Riveras are known throughout New York for their charitable work and especially for their commitment to serving underprivileged children. It’s unfortunate they are being targeted by false allegations.'.
