[New York Yankees Legend Mariano Rivera and His Wife Accused of Failing to Protect Sexually Abused Girl
A lawsuit has been filed against Mariano Rivera, the Hall of Fame pitcher, and his wife Clara Rivera, a pastor at Refuge of Hope Church, alleging that they failed to protect a young girl who was sexually abused by an older child during a summer camp trip sponsored by their church in 2018.
According to the lawsuit, the Riveras were made aware of the girl’s concerns about her safety during the trip, but instead of taking action, they “isolated and intimidated” her into remaining silent about her negative experiences, including the abuse.
The lawsuit claims that the Riveras only learned of the allegations in 2022 after receiving a letter from an attorney requesting a financial settlement. Joseph A. Ruta, an attorney for the Riveras, has denied the allegations, saying that any claims that they knew about or failed to act on reports of child abuse are completely false.
The Riveras are known for their charitable work, particularly in serving underprivileged children, but the lawsuit alleges that they prioritized avoiding scandal over protecting the girl. The lawsuit also claims that the Riveras failed to mitigate risks and took no steps to protect the girl, exposing her to further abuse.
The girl, who was 10 or 11 years old at the time of the abuse, was repeatedly sexually abused by an older female camper at the Ignite Life Center, a church in Gainesville, Florida. The abuse was discovered when the girl’s mother became concerned about her daughter’s safety and the Riveras were informed. However, instead of taking action, the couple allegedly chose to remain silent to avoid the potential scandal.
The lawsuit is seeking damages for the girl’s emotional distress, medical expenses, and other losses, as well as accountable for the alleged abuse. The case is part of a larger pattern of abuse, with other lawsuits and criminal charges filed against the Ignite Life Center and other affiliated individuals.
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