Mariano Rivera and Wife Deny Lawsuit Alleging Child Sex Abuse Cover-Up at Church Events

The lawsuit accuses the couple of failing to act on reports of abuse and intimidating the victim into silence, claims they strongly refute as false.

A lawsuit filed in New York alleges that Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara failed to protect a young girl from sexual abuse at events connected to their Refuge of Hope Church.
The lawsuit claims the couple isolated and intimidated the victim to remain silent about abuse that occurred during a 2018 church-affiliated summer camp and a barbecue at their former home.
The Riveras' lawyer asserts that the allegations are baseless, stating the couple only became aware of the accusations in 2022 through a financial settlement request.
The plaintiff, now 17, alleges multiple instances of abuse, including by an older minor and later by an adult youth leader at the church, and seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
The Riveras, known for their philanthropic work and involvement in youth programs, deny any wrongdoing, emphasizing their commitment to protecting children.