Mariano Rivera and Wife Clara Break Silence on Allegations They Covered Up Child Sex Abuse at Their Church

Mar. 15, 2025

Clara Rivera and Mariano Rivera.Photo:James Devaney/WireImage

James Devaney/WireImage

MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara Rivera have denied accusations that theycovered up a child sex abuse scandalin order to protect their church.

An attorney for the Riveras said in a statement Thursday, Jan. 23 thatthe New York Yankees legend and his wifedeny the claims made in a lawsuit filed last week in the New York Supreme Court.

“Mariano and Clara Rivera do not tolerate child abuse of any kind and allegations that they knew about or failed to act on reports of child abuse are completely false,” the couple’s attorney, Joseph A. Ruta, told theNew York Post.

PEOPLE has reached out to Ruta for comment.

In a statement to PEOPLE, an attorney representing the plaintiff said that they intend to take the Riveras to court.

“Parents and churchgoers should be grateful, as I am, that this brave child is coming forward to expose wrongdoers,” the girl’s attorney Adam Horowitz told PEOPLE in a statement. “Reporting sex crimes is always tough, especially when those who conceal them are powerful and popular. We are prepared to litigate this serious matter in Court.”

Clara Rivera and Mariano Rivera.AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

PEOPLE reported Wednesday that Rivera, 55, and his wife were named in the New York lawsuit, which claims the couple ignored the sexual abuse of a young girl who was a member of their Refuge of Hope Church in Westchester County, New York.

The plaintiff is seeking a jury trial.

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The Refuge of Hope church was founded in the Riveras' home in 2009 while he was still a pitcher for the Yankees.

After he retired in 2013 and began focusing more of his life on religion and philanthropy, Rivera purchased a local, 107-year-old church in New Rochelle, New York, that needed renovations and poured $3 million into rehabbing the building. The couple moved the operations to the newly renovated building in 2014.

Clara is the church’s head pastor.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com