Mariano Rivera and Wife Accused of Covering Up Child Sex Abuse
Former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, are being accused of allegedly covering up the sexual abuse of a minor according to a New York lawsuit. The suit lists two separate incidents where the minor “Jane Doe” says she was sexually assaulted by an older girl, known as “MG,” during a summer internship at their church in 2018, and by a male church employee, who was a youth leader, in 2021.
The Lawsuit’s Allegations
The lawsuit alleges that the Riveras were informed of the abuse but failed to take sufficient action to stop it. Instead, they allegedly isolated and intimidated Jane Doe to remain silent about her abuse, “to avoid potential scandal.” The lawsuit also claims that the church failed to have adequate policies and procedures in place to protect children from harm.
The Riveras’ Response
The Riveras have denied the allegations, stating that they “do not tolerate child abuse of any kind.” They claim that they were not aware of the alleged abuse until 2022, when they received a letter from an attorney requesting a financial settlement. They have also stated that they are “known throughout New York for their charitable work and especially for their commitment to serving underprivileged children.” The Riveras’ attorney has stated that they are confident that the allegations will not hold up in court.
Other Allegations of Abuse
This is not the first time that an Assemblies of God affiliate has been accused of covering up child sex abuse. Last month, three young victims settled lawsuits against Florida affiliates of Assemblies of God, after alleging similar sexual assaults. Last week, a former worker at the same camp “Jane Doe” and the other victims went to, entered into a plea deal, after he faced charges in connection for sexual misconduct against minors.
Conclusion
The allegations against Mariano Rivera and his wife are serious, and it is important to note that they are only allegations at this time. The Riveras have denied any wrongdoing, and it is important that they be given the opportunity to defend themselves before any judgment is passed. However, the allegations do raise concerns about the safety of children in religious institutions. It is important that churches and other organizations that work with children have strong policies and procedures in place to protect children from abuse.