Mariano Rivera, Wife Clara
Allegedly Covered Up Child Sexual Abuse
Published January 22, 2025 3:41 PM PST
Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, allegedly covered up child sexual abuse that took place at their home and at one of their church’s summer camps … this according to a new lawsuit, obtained by TMZ Sports.
The bombshell allegations were spelled out in court documents that were filed this month in New York — and while neither Rivera nor his spouse are defendants in the suit … they’re both named repeatedly in the papers.
Mother A Doe alleges in the docs her daughter, a teenager ID’ed only as Jane A Doe, was convinced by Clara in 2018 to travel down to Florida for an internship that her Refuge of Hope Church was helping put on.
While there, though, Mother A Doe alleges Jane A Doe was sexually abused by a “much older camper” ID’ed as “MG.” Mother A Doe says after she learned of the possibility of the abuse, she made Clara aware.
According to the suit, Clara assured Mother A Doe she’d investigate the situation. But, the docs state when Clara and Mariano made it to the camp, they “each separately isolated and intimidated Jane A Doe to remain silent” in order to protect their church and its affiliated summer program.
Mother A Doe alleges the Riveras then assured her everything was fine … “despite actual or constructive knowledge that Jane A Doe remained vulnerable to the additional acts of sexual abuse by MG.”
Following their return to New York from Florida, Mother A Doe claims in her suit Jane A Doe was sexually abused once more by MG … this time at a barbeque that the Riveras were helping put on at their NY home. Mother A Doe says the Riveras and others “took no action to protect” the girl from her abuser.
Mother A Doe says years later, in 2021, Jane A Doe was sexually abused by a male adult who worked as a youth leader for the Riveras’ Refuge of Hope. Once again, Mother A Doe alleges those affiliated with the church did not take proper steps to ensure her daughter’s safety.
Rivera pitched for the Yankees from 1995 to 2013 — and finished his career as arguably the greatest closer ever. In retirement, he became a pastor at Refuge of Hope, where his wife worked as an overseer of day-to-day ops, the Independent reported Wednesday.
Neither Mariano nor Clara have commented publicly on the allegations in the suit.