Mariano Rivera and Wife Hit with Lawsuit for Allegedly Failing to Protect Young Girl from Sexual Abuse

Mariano Rivera Accused of Neglect in Child Abuse Lawsuit

Mariano Rivera, a renowned baseball legend, and his wife Clara Rivera are facing a lawsuit for allegedly failing to protect a young girl who was sexually abused while on a church-sponsored summer camp trip in 2018. The victim alleges Rivera and his wife ignored her concerns about her safety when she reported the abuse, instead choosing to keep it quiet “to avoid the potential scandal of child sexual abuse in its programs.”

Riveras Accused of “Isolating and Intimidating” Victim

According to the lawsuit, the girl’s mother expressed concerns about her daughter’s safety during the 2018 trip after speaking to her over the phone. The complaint alleges that the Riveras verbally and emotionally abused the girl after learning of the incident and pressured her into silence. This “isolation and intimidation” tactic is a common manipulation tactic used by perpetrators to prevent victims from reporting abuse and seeking help.

The mother followed up with the Riveras, who agreed to investigate but allegedly chose to ignore the evidence and remain silent about the abuse upon their return.

Church and Rivera’s Accused of Negligence

The lawsuit also names the Refuge of Hope Church, where the Riveras serve as pastors, as a defendant. It alleges that the church and the Riveras failed to take appropriate actions to protect the girl, despite having been made aware of the abuse. The girl was reportedly abused again at the Riveras’ home in New York by the same person and later by a youth leader at the church.

Riveras Deny Allegations, Accuse Plaintiff’s Attorney of Targeting Them

Joseph A. Ruta, the Riveras’ attorney, denies the allegations and points out that they first learned of the allegations in 2022 when they received a letter from the plaintiff’s attorney, Adam Horowitz, requesting a financial settlement. Ruta paints the Riveras as targets of false accusations while highlighting their charitable work with underprivileged children in New York.

Ignite Life Center Settles Lawsuits Related to Abuse Allegations

The lawsuit also mentions that Ignite Life Center, the church where the alleged abuse took place, recently settled lawsuits brought by three other people who were allegedly abused as teenagers by a volunteer at the center.

Conclusion

The lawsuit underscores the importance of taking all allegations of child abuse seriously and of providing necessary support to survivors. It also highlights the role of religious institutions in protecting children in their care and ensuring their safety. The outcome of the lawsuit and any potential criminal charges are still pending.